Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candis Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Candis, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Cooking wasn’t something I dreamed of as a kid, but I discovered my love for it as a teenager! As I mentioned in my VoyageATL article, I was a homesick teen, trying to find a way to feel connected to home after my family and I moved to Atlanta following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At first, I didn’t think the move would be permanent. But after we settled in Douglasville, GA, and I started high school, everything changed.

That’s when I began experimenting with cooking, just for fun. One day, my mom had a friend over, and she tasted my red beans and rice. She loved it so much that she told my mom I should sell it! That little nudge was all it took—I started selling plates on the weekends, and I absolutely loved it. Cooking brought me a sense of home and joy, especially when I saw how happy my food made others.

From my teenage years through my mid-to-late 20s, I really grew in my passion for cooking. In 2019, I decided to take things seriously. I began researching everything—brainstorming names, snapping pictures of my dishes, coming up with logo ideas, and learning how to get an LLC and handle the legal stuff. Even though I wasn’t selling much at the time, I was laying the foundation to turn my side hustle into a real business. This is the part of entrepreneurship people don’t always see—the behind-the-scenes work that gets you ready for the big leap.

Then, when the pandemic hit and we were all staying indoors, I used that time to plan, research, and dream even more. It was such a challenging time, but focusing on my future business kept my spirits high. By October 2020, I officially launched! I took everything I had been learning and put it into action. I started my first Instagram page, got my logo, printed business cards, and began telling people about my New Orleans-inspired cooking. Soon enough, people started asking me to cook for small events and help with personal meal prep!

Long story short, sometimes you just have to take the leap! Don’t wait until everything’s perfect—you can figure it out as you go, and the journey is all part of the fun!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The heart of my brand is all about bringing the flavors of New Orleans to food lovers everywhere! Whether you’re a cooking enthusiast or a die-hard New Orleans foodie, we’re here to serve up mouth-watering content, authentic recipes, cooking techniques, and a whole lot of culture. Our goal is to help people create genuine New Orleans-style cuisine right from their own kitchens—no matter where they live!

Whether you’re a passionate home cook or an aspiring chef, we’ve got you covered with recipes that are full of flavor and soul. Growing up in New Orleans East, a small suburb just outside the city, I was always surrounded by good food. My grandmothers were constantly cooking, and I’d spend my days with them learning in the kitchen. My parents were great cooks, too, so cooking is in my blood!

I’m incredibly proud of my journey and the growth of New Orleanz Soul Kitchen LLC. This brand is for the people, and we’re all about spreading love, one delicious meal at a time!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I firmly believe that word of mouth is still the best way to grow your clientele. The majority of my clients have come through personal recommendations, and that’s still mainly how my business grows today. If you treat people well and provide quality service or products, you won’t need to do much selling. Good business is about building strong relationships and making genuine connections. Once someone trusts you, you’ve likely gained a lifelong customer—and often, a new friend or possibly business partner.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I first started my business, I used income from my job to buy the things I needed to get it off the ground. At the time, I wasn’t aware of business credit, but I understood the importance of using money to make more money. I always made sure to reinvest a percentage of my earnings back into the business. Even if you don’t have a lot to start with, use what you got.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://neworleanzsk.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neworleanz_soulkitchen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neworleanzsoulkitchen/

Image Credits

All images by Candis J.