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

Antionette, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Using my 401K to start Blue Moon Deli has been the biggest risk that I’ve taken. I was able to purchase all of my commercial equipment, food, pay staff, get permits with the money. Once all of the money was all gone, the real show begin. It was a real struggle after 6 months of opening – thank God my husband still worked full-time. We survived and are still going strong.

Antionette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Antionette Black, know as Chef Toni, owner of Blue Moon Deli and Flavors In Motion Catering. I’m a proud graduate of The Art Institute of Houston (now closed), with a degree in Culinary Arts. I was a secretary for more than 20 years and decided to change careers to do something that I could enjoy later in life. One morning, I woke up and decided to go to Culinary School and that’s where my true passion begin. I’ve worked in upscaled Country Clubs around Houston. Private schools, Senior Living facilities, and several Catering companies. I’ve worked as a line cook, baker, Sous Chef, and Dining Director.
My catering company, Flavors In Motion has been around for over 20 years and my newest project has been my deli, Blue Moon Deli, to which we now have three locations.
We pride ourselves making our customers feel like family. Our customers enjoy down-home food in a down-home environment. No one’s a stranger at Blue Moon Deli!

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My employees are my family. We treat them with respect, pay them well and motive them thru team building and open conversations.

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 had to unlearn how not to scheme in business. I’ve learned to be honest with government entities, pay my taxes, no under the table doings.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blumoondeli.com www.flavorsinmotion.com
• Instagram: @bluemoondeli
• Facebook: @bluemoondeli
• Linkedin: @bluemoondeli
• Youtube: @antionetteblack8