We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful VALERIE VILME. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with VALERIE below.

Hi VALERIE, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Back In 2010, Imagine being a single mom to a 3 yrs old with no way out and limited income. I turned to and did the first thing I knew I was good at… COOKING, With $194 food stamps and less than $100 in cash at hand I purchased groceries and supplies and started what was known then as VALERIE’S KITCHEN by selling little plates of food to my close friends and family in order to multiply that money to cover my living expenses for my daughter, now established, registered and insured as VAL’S KITCHEN & CATERING LLC The overwhelming emotions came for me when I saw people sitting in my living room for hours waiting on my food as a sign of support when they could’ve gone elsewhere for food. At first I didn’t know which direction I was going to go with this for at the time I only cooked when I was in a tight financial bind in between work. It was how much my surrounding believed in me and the joy and excitement they expressed when eating my food that kept me going. I personally did and still do feel like I offered a unique approach when it comes to my craft because it’s a personal approach. I treat all my customers and supporters like I would’ve wanted to be treated. What excites me the most then and now is the fact that I always put my customers before the money and believe it or not the money then follows.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Valerie Vilme and I was born in Haiti, How I got into my industry wasn’t a vision or goal. You can say it was by default, it was out of necessity, sometimes it takes life to happen for you to know your own strength which will then brings out skills you didn’t know you had. I am a self taught Chef and proud owner of a successful catering business. I am also an award winning published author to a Haitian cook book. I am a woman of many proud hats I will say. We all know food is a necessity but when you cook food for the soul you’re definitely putting people in a better mood. Things I’m most proud of is the ability to turn my struggle to success by not dwelling on the things I couldn’t control and focus on the things I could. Another is remaining humble and never forgot how and why I started, There is no easy ways or shortcuts to what I do but I take pride in doing it every time. I will say this I have many reasons to flex such as winning Most Influential Chef within my community in December 2021, but my biggest flex was being able to provide 3 scholarships to 3 high school seniors using money out of my pocket that I made from VAL’S KITCHEN. I want my potential clients, followers, fans and supporters to know about me is that I would never feed you something I wouldn’t eat myself.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been words of mouth and referrals. Utilizing my social platforms has also played a part because it allows me to showcase my products in an attractive vivant way by using pictures and video contents.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Cooking was definitely a side hustle for me, and to my surprised it became my full time. Starting directly from my residential kitchen to now being in a commercial kitchen is a story that would take a book to explain. However it was my consistency to keep putting the same energy day after day tired or not that leads me to where I am today. An awesome support system, Losing someone dear to me and my business was also an eye opener that kept me going and not wanting to give up. I will say my biggest and greatest reason was and still is never losing sight of why I started it in the first place, to keep my daughter fed, clothed and sheltered. Key milestones to name a few, winning various awards, being recognized and honored by my city’s vice mayor, giving back to my community in any ways I can, feeding the less fortunate and much more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.valskitchencatering.com
• Instagram: vals_kitchen
• Facebook: Val’s Kitchen & Catering
• Linkedin: Valerie Vilme
• Twitter: Valerie Vilme
• Youtube: Valerie Vilme