Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abdouli Williams-Touray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Abdouli, appreciate you joining us 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.
Yes, I can definitely agree that outsiders believe it happens overnight. It takes time to achieve the success we’re seeking , but the journey is a very interesting experience. I always preach that the BTS (behind-the-scene) work is what matters most on the path to greatness. This is usually the work done that nobody sees , the work you don’t receive praise or acknowledgement for , But…. Its the work that builds character . The BTS work is what creates improvement .
I remember going to the airport , malls , and store parking lots to pass out business cards to get people to check out Touray Kunda Cafe. I remember days, I would open the shop and not one person would walk through the door . Then, I would begin studying online marketing and creating social media content to get the business out there.
Looking back I’m proud of myself for not quitting.
There has been many obstacles along the way , but its two events which stand out the most . In 2016, our family restaurant burned down due to electrical issues . It taught me just how fast things can end . But through perseverance we were able to bounce back . 2017, we were able to Re-open in College Park.
The second event is present time 2022, Im being evicted from current location of business , there has been changes to property owners of the business property. I was told my business doesn’t fit the vision for the plaza . I refused to go out without a fight after many years here . It was a slap to my dream and vision but Alhamdulillah , we have just found a new location to operate our business.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Summer 2015 , I left college and began working with my family at our restaurant at the time , African Caribbean Fine Foods. This is when I officially became a chef/entrepreneur. As we come to the present year 2022 , I am the owner of Touray Kunda Cafe and Top Shelf Supermart. The restaurant (Touray Kunda Cafe) serves the people West African cuisine and The retail store (Top Shelf Supermart) sells household goods .
I believe what sets us apart from others is Quality. When people come to support they know they will get their money worth for meals and items they buy from the businesses.
I want people to know and understand I’m human like you. I’m going through the ups and downs as well , we are in this together
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I honestly had to unlearn the (chasing) mindset. I describe that mindset to the one that chases …. fame , status , and money heavy as if that’s our purpose for being here . I’ll like to tell my people that it’s more to life than these things . I’ve caught myself asking many times… is this all to life ? I started reading books , and listening to lectures , the more I would do this I’ll start understanding that these things don’t bring the happiness so many people seek.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The time I had to pivot in life was years ago . A spring break trip that changed my whole outlook on the type of life I want to live . Coming back home from that experience I was never the same . Many people travel during spring break to go have fun, as I thought i’ll be doing but for myself it felt like a dramatic movie . There was just something in the air that would just tell me this trip isn’t going to end well . I couldn’t fully enjoy myself , even though everyone around seem to be having the best time .
Since then, Its a lot of habits I have left behind in the past . I honestly would say I don’t think ill be the person I am today if I never witnessed that experience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/touraykundacafe/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topshelf.supermart
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/touray-kunda-cafe-atlanta
- Other: https://www.ubereats.com/store/touray-kunda-cafe/pNjAU8nTSDSnpUXebAgfAg?diningMode=DELIVERY&mod=storeDeliveryTime&modctx=%257B%2522entryPoint%2522%253A%2522store-auto-surface%2522%252C%2522encodedStoreUuid%2522%253A%2522pNjAU8nTSDSnpUXebAgfAg%2522%257D&pl=JTdCJTIyYWRkcmVzcyUyMiUzQSUyMjgwNjQlMjBTJTIwRnVsdG9uJTIwUGt3eSUyMiUyQyUyMnJlZmVyZW5jZSUyMiUzQSUyMmExYjE1MmM0LTMzZjYtZjUwMi1kZTAwLWQxYTkyNjRmZDQ2YiUyMiUyQyUyMnJlZmVyZW5jZVR5cGUlMjIlM0ElMjJ1YmVyX3BsYWNlcyUyMiUyQyUyMmxhdGl0dWRlJTIyJTNBMzMuNTg2NDQzMyUyQyUyMmxvbmdpdHVkZSUyMiUzQS04NC42NDYzMDMzJTdE&ps=1
Image Credits
Ida John Photo LLC