We were lucky to catch up with Ayisha Wilkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ayisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Cooking really has been apart of me since childhood. Growing up, I watched my both of grandmothers, mom and my dad cook. My grandmother would cook big dinners on Sundays and family and friends would come over and eat and fellowship. My mother cooked everyday. So as I got older I began to cook for myself. Once I met my husband, I started cooking just about everyday, he loved to eat home cooked meals. He enjoyed my cooking but also challenged me to take it a step further. I then started cooking for all of my family and friends. They loved it so much that I said to myself, “I should start my own catering business”. And from there I became a business owner. Cooking is my passion its my true love. In the kitchen is where I belong. So I intend to take this all the way and make as much money as I can doing it.
Ayisha, 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 Ayisha Randall, daughter of NBA Legend, Dominique Wilkins. I started my own catering business. I create all types of dishes. My style of cooking is international cuisine. I love food from all over. I have traveled quite a bit and I am very cultured so I like to bring that through to my food. I am so proud of all of my dishes. My food is made with love and passion and you can taste it in every bite. Right now I am revamping my business and bringing some new content and even rebranding. So there will definitely be more to come and some new recipes.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
My 17 year old son had a traumatic incident happen to him. During this time I was shaking and moving in my business. When he was injured I wanted to hang up my Chef’s coat. I had to travel back and forth to the hospital for about 2 months and I also was working a full-time job so to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I felt at the time I was just done with cooking. But I got an opportunity to shoot for a podcast and showcase my dish and I don’t know, it just brought back the life into me. It was the push that I needed. Thus the reason for my revamp and rebranding of my business. I am coming back stronger than ever!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn that it is never to late to start your dream. I used to wish that I had done this earlier on in my life. I am now inner standing that everything is in divine timing and maybe doing this earlier just was not my time. So I have learned patience and understanding and knowing that what is for me will be for me. I do not have to rush because I GOT THIS!