Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Khashana McKenzie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Khashana, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I can still remember calling my mom on my way home from work excited about my new business idea, Porty Vibez. Porty is the slang we use in Jamaica. for Portland, the parish where I was born. And my mom loved it! Her response was “I like those vibez”. And just like that Porty Vibez was born.

Khashana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Imported from Portland, Jamaica, the birthplace of Boston Jerk, Porty Vibez is a family-run business founded by Khashana McKenzie. Porty Vibez’s name is derived from my hometown of Portland, Jamaica, where I first developed my love for the flavors of Jamaican cuisine. From the age of 12, I have been in the kitchen with my parents, whipping up authentic dishes for family dinners and get-togethers to keep the tradition alive. Those family recipes are the same ones I use to this day.

Porty Vibez at heart is devoted to people; we evoke emotions through our food. We feed, quench, seduce, soothe, and excite our guests. There is no better feeling than the sounds of happy guests eating, drinking, and laughing. Now more than ever, people are seeking these types of experiences, and we want to be well-positioned to capture those guests and provide the Porty Vibez they are seeking through our catering experiences.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been referral marketing. I encourage my existing customers to refer their friends and families. Sometimes offering incentives. And I can say I have landed some of my most substantial contracts from a referral.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I started my catering business, I believed that I needed to say “yes” to every potential client and every opportunity that came my way. However, I soon learned that taking on too much at once can be detrimental to the quality of my work and my overall business goals. I had to unlearn the idea that more was always better, and instead focus on saying “no” to clients or events that didn’t align with my brand or my capacity. By being more selective with the clients and events I took on, I was able to provide higher quality service, increase customer satisfaction, and ultimately grow my business in a more sustainable way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.portyvibez.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/portyvibez