We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Flint. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Andrea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Who would’ve thought that a sociology major and teacher would become a cannabis chef. Since I was a kid I’ve always found myself in the kitchen. Both of my parents are chefs and own a catering company. I’m not sure why initially it never registered to me that cooking was my passion.
Thankful that at the age of 5 my parents gave me the freedom to cook and experiment with different foods. As well as introducing me to different cultures and foods. They would buy me a salmon once a week and let me try it with different seasonings until I perfected the flavor. From there on I was always cooking and perfecting my craft. I’m forever grateful for them introducing me to cooking.
After years of working at non profits and charter schools I was tired of the politics and the unfairness that came with some of the jobs. I dreaded going to work. In 2015 I quit working, took a risk and started Kandiyamzz Catering and the rest is history. I knew that cooking was for me because when I didn’t mind waking up for it. Versus my past jobs, it didn’t feel like work.
With the startup of Kandiyamzz Catering I wanted to be different. I became a sociology major and educator because I enjoyed helping others. I wanted to help others with my cooking and thus is where the cannabis came in. In high school I began having seizures and for years they took a toll on my life until I started indulging in cannabis. The seizures stopped, with the cannabis being more effective and safer than any medication that I had been prescribed. I incorporated the cannabis into my food and the rest is history. The testimonials let me know that I’m on the right path. It’s rewarding being able help people through my food such as those battling cancer, depression, and insomnia.
I feel that my food is tasteful, fun and healing all in one. I didn’t want to just make the typical edibles such as brownies or rice crispy treats. Instead I’m most known for making cannabis infused meals and drinks such as gumbo, tamales, steak, seafood, charcuteries, and lemonades.
Aside from food, in 2020 I ventured into making cannabis infused topicals. This came about after years of suffering from severe nerve damage due to a bad epidural during labor. I was constantly in pain and had trouble getting around so one day I experimented and made a cannabis infused Shea butter. The pain was instant and this began my second business, One Love Rx. I expanded from Shea butter and began making other items such as body scrubs, body oils, face mask, hair oils and bath bombs. The results of my products are amazing, helping with pain relief, improving sling and treating skin disorders,
I definitely love what I do and my customers definitely are able to taste and see the love that I put into my food as well as the love that I put into my body products. I’m happy that I took a risk and started doing what I love, cooking and helping others.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
When I first started Kandiyamzz Catering I was going from cannabis dispensary to cannabis dispensary or sending out mass text messages or advertising on Facebook to help get my business known. Looking back from 2015 to now I am most proud of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown as a business woman and as a chef. It hasn’t always been easy and at times I wanted to give up but I’m glad that I didn’t and have come this far. As a mother, I’m am especially most proud of being able to set an example for my daughter and teaching her how to cook like my parents did for me when I was her age. She definitely enjoys being in the kitchen and follows what I do. I’m glad that I’m able to set an example as a business woman.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for me has been social media. I’m constantly networking and making new clients via social media. I’m able to showcase my food and products as well as others sharing testimonials about my businesses.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe what helped build my reputation is that my food looks how it taste, very good. I’m sure we’ve all experienced times where the food looks good on social media or in person but taste nothing like it looks. A lot of love goes into my food, and it’s evident from the first bite. Aside from tasting and looking good my food is always consistent. The same goodness every time to keep you coming back.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kandiyazz & @onelove_rx