We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lakesia Phelps . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lakesia below.
Lakesia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
First you have to have a good product which I did. Then I always enter acted with the customers to get that one on one relationship going by first name basis. Customers like to feel like mean something to the business and mine really dude !
Lakesia , 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?
I’m a Georgia Native , from the kirkwood community on the east side. I have a very big family 8 aunts 3 uncles and a million cousins. My grand parents loved for us all to be out in the back of the house so they cooked out alot. So the grilling came from standing around watching them cook . The soul food part of it came from my other grandmother my dads mom . But I never thought about opening a restaurant until I was older and had the time . I love people so I decided that it would be very personable for me .to cook for people .
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
2019 I won best bbq of Atlanta ! Once I was recognized for my excellence I knew I was in a roll . I was already recognized by the city but to win best bbq of Atlanta was it for me . I was always cooking and giving so I knew the food was good but for me to win that award was the ultimate!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that running a mom and pop restaurant that I had to be there . I started taking weekends off bc I was still young and wanted to party . But I received a phone call from a customer on a Saturday afternoon ask where was I bc she was at the restaurant. I wasn’t there so she didn’t go inside nor did she purchase any food . My spot was so small and quaint they wanted to see Anna . A good friend of mine willie Watkins of Watkins funeral home told me you never take off on your busiest days no matter what they looking for the face of the business plus the food .
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anna-caliscafefoodtruckga.com/
- Instagram: @annaandicaliscafefoodtruck