We were lucky to catch up with Chanel Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chanel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I didn’t set out to become a plant-based chef. I set out to survive.

When I was diagnosed with lupus, my life quietly split into a before and an after. Before, I moved fast, pushed through exhaustion, and trusted my body to keep up. After I faced chronic pain, inflammation, and the sobering realization that the way I had been living and eating was no longer sustainable. Doctors offered medications and management plans, but deep down I knew I needed to participate in my own healing. The risk came when I decided to radically change my diet and lifestyle and fully committing to a plant-based way of eating. It felt scary and uncertain. Food was cultural, emotional, and familiar. Letting go of what I knew meant stepping into the unknown while already feeling physically vulnerable.

At first, the risk was deeply personal. I cooked to calm inflammation, to reduce flares, and to reclaim my energy. Slowly, something unexpected happened and my body responded. My pain lessened and my clarity returned. Cooking became more than nourishment, it became empowerment. Friends and family started asking questions, requesting meals, and wanting to know how and why this food felt so different. That’s when the second risk appeared, which was turning something born out of necessity into a business. I wasn’t trained in culinary school and I didn’t have a blueprint. What I did have was lived experience, intuition, and a growing belief that healing food could also be beautiful, soulful, and deeply satisfying.

Taking that leap transformed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What began as a response to illness, became my life’s calling. Becoming a plant-based chef allowed me to turn my diagnosis into purpose; which is to serve others while honoring my own health. The risk didn’t just change what I do, it changed who I am. I learned that sometimes the bravest risks aren’t about chasing something new, but about listening closely to your body, trusting your inner wisdom, and allowing adversity to become the doorway to alignment, creativity, and abundance.

Chanel, 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?

Chef Nowel is a plant-based culinary brand rooted in healing, culture, and community.

Chef Nowel was created from my personal journey with food, wellness, and reclaiming health through plant-based living. As someone who believes deeply in the connection between what we eat and how we feel; physically, mentally, and emotionally. I entered this industry to make plant-based food both nourishing and accessible, especially within communities that may not always see themselves reflected in the wellness space.

My signature products are vegan mac n’ cheese and plant-based queso, which are comforting, flavorful staples reimagined without dairy. These products were developed to solve a very real problem: people want indulgent and nostalgic foods, but many are lactose intolerant, transitioning to plant-based eating, or seeking healthier options. I focus on delivering rich flavor and satisfying texture without compromise. My mac and queso allow people to enjoy comfort food while aligning with their wellness goals.

Beyond products, I provide full plant-based meals, personalized nutrition counseling, and hands-on cooking classes. Through nutrition counseling, I help clients navigate plant-based living in a realistic, sustainable way. Whether they are transitioning, managing health concerns, or simply wanting to feel better in their bodies. My cooking classes are about empowerment. I teach people how to prepare flavorful plant-based meals confidently so they are not dependent on processed foods or limited options.

What sets Chef Nowel apart is intention. This isn’t just food, it’s education, empowerment, and lifestyle alignment. I approach food as medicine, as culture, and as connection. I care deeply about quality ingredients, flavor depth, and making plant-based eating feel abundant rather than restrictive. I also bring warmth and relatability to the space. I understand the emotional relationship people have with food, and I meet them there without judgment.

I’m most proud of creating products and services that help people feel seen, supported, and capable of change. Whether it’s someone trying my vegan mac for the first time and saying, “I can’t believe this is dairy-free,” or a client gaining confidence in the kitchen, those moments matter to me.

I want potential clients and supporters to know that Chef Nowel is about more than meals, it’s about transformation. It’s about choosing food that energizes you, supports your body, and still tastes incredible. It’s about community, culture, and conscious living. And most importantly, it’s about creating a life that feels nourishing in every sense of the word.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I truly believe what helped me build my reputation in my market has been authenticity and honesty. I’ve always shown up as myself; no gimmicks, no pretending to be something I’m not. Whether I’m creating my vegan mac n’ cheese and queso, preparing plant-based meals, leading a cooking class, or offering nutrition counseling, I lead with transparency and heart.

People can feel when you’re genuine. I’m honest about my journey, honest about the work it takes to shift your lifestyle, and honest about what my products and services can and cannot do. I don’t sell perfection. I share progress, education, and real solutions. That honesty builds trust.

I’ve also built my reputation by being consistent and truly caring about the people I serve. I listen. I educate. I create with intention. When clients see that you’re committed to quality, integrity, and their well-being, not just making a sale, word travels.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that “the customer is always right” and that I had to say yes to everything in order to succeed.

When I first started building Chef Nowel, I thought opportunity meant agreement. I believed that if someone showed interest, especially in the early stages. I needed to accommodate, adjust, bend, and sometimes overextend myself just to keep the door open. I also had to hear a lot of “no’s.” I’ve been overlooked, turned down, and even ghosted in moments where I thought something was about to move forward. That can shake you, especially when you’re pouring your heart into your work.

But one experience really shifted me. I had a client who initially expressed interest in my food, but the situation began to blur professional boundaries. As a woman entrepreneur, I found myself in a position where I had to firmly and calmly reinforce that my business is about my products and services and nothing more. It would have been easy to laugh things off, minimize it, or tolerate behavior to secure a sale. Instead, I chose integrity.

I had to unlearn the idea that access to me was part of the product.

That moment taught me that professionalism and boundaries are not negotiable. Standing on integrity doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you clear. Clarity protects your brand, your peace, and your future.

I also had to unlearn that every “no” is rejection. Sometimes it’s redirection. Sometimes it’s protection. Being ghosted taught me resilience. Hearing no taught me refinement. Holding boundaries taught me power.

Now, I understand that not every client is aligned and that’s okay. My brand is built on authenticity, wellness, and respect. And as a woman building something from the ground up, keeping my composure and professionalism, even when challenged, has been one of my greatest strengths.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ChefNowel.com
• Instagram: @VeganChefNowel