We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chef Tee Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chef Tee below.
Chef Tee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.
Yes when I host certain events I donate to the Ronald Mcdonald House in Houston. My son was born very ill and we had to move there temporarily while he stayed at Texas Childrens Hospital. They took immaculate care of us and we had no worries while our son healed and got better. I will forever be greatful to them and their staff.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I got started on my cooking journey in College. My mom wouldn’t pay for me to have the NFL network so I could watch football because she said it wasn’t a necessity lol. So I began using the cookbook my grandmother gave me and began cooking for friends. Afterwhile, word spread and I started selling plates from my dorm. As far as discipline, I love what I do so it never feels like work. I am also an artist which allows me to create my catering setups on a blank canvas and use my creativity, just like I do when I paint. I provide Catering services, Private Chef Experiences for all occasions, Meal Prep and Cooking Courses. We have our very own Salt-Free Seasoning blends created by myself and they’re packed with flavor. There have been many problem solving scenarios in my career, however there is one in particular that sticks out. I had a client reach out last minute and thankfully I was free. But they needed me to go their Air bnb and prepare an elaborate meal for some clients coming into town. I had to shop, cook, setup decor all in a few hours. They were so pleased and the clients never knew it was a last minute thing lol. I pride myself on delivering the best quality and exceeding expectations and also being trained to work under pressure is a plus. I believe what sets me a part is that I am me TEE. I don’t try and step outside my lane because I realize once you start doing that it’s hard to keep up. But if you be yourself and stay in your lane your delivery will be appreciated, genuine and authentic and you can’t beat that with a stick. Also being an artist, I believe gives me a brownie point edge wise because it’s all art and I love being innovative and creating. I am most proud that although I had my son my senior year in College, I graduated the very next year. He was and is still my motivation to push and keep going. Giving up was never an option but my son gave me the extra push he didn’t know I needed. I am currently wrapping up my 1st cookbook Kids edition entitled “These kids is Hungry” in the Spring and continuing to finish our Adult one as well. I want my clients, fans, followers etc to know that if you have a dream write it down and make it plain. Find something you are truly passionate about because when you’re doing what you love, it’ll never feel like work or a burden. Lastly don’t forget to keep God first in all that you do. Seek his answers, pray about guidance, decisions, next steps and stay faithful that his timing is always perfect.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
My initial focus approach was to provide healthy recipes to go along with my side hustle of selling health and wellness products. I sold Meal Preps and meal plans on the side while working a full-time job and then the inevitable happened, so I thought. I was laid off in August of 2021 and had to figure it out. I took 6 mos off to travel, regroup and figure out my plan. All along I didn’t realize God was pushing me into my purpose. If he hadn’t have pushed me, I probably would’ve still been stuck there complacent and miserable. Shout out to God. I obtained my LLC and rebranded my Health & Wellness page and I had my 1st booking for 2 couples on Valentines. I posted and it took off. From there word of mouth and marketing on Social platforms brought me tags, shares, emails etc. Now when I do events, I try to top the last one every time with my creativity. Some key milestones are launching my soon to be released cookbook, Starting a Salt-free spice blend line and becoming a traveling chef. Now I make my own hours, my earnings have more than tripled a month and I’m able to be there with my son every single moment. Time is something we can’t get back, so to be able to have that and a great Salary and Freedom is not bad in my book.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I graduated from College with a Degree in IT (Mgmt Info systems) with a minor in Business Mgmt. I’ve always been a geek but it wasn’t my passion I was just good at it. Once I graduated, I thought I would get the top job making great money but instead I got the lowest of the barrels because their favorite phrase was you don’t have the job experience. After 15 years working in my field not being happy, I was laid off and that forced me to Pivot and figure things out. I had a son to care for as well as myself. Looking back, I didn’t know my college experiences and cooking in my dorm, selling plates would ultimately lead me to my destiny.
Contact Info:
- Website: Dusk2dawncatering.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dusk2dawncateringllc?igsh=NGV0M3BmdjMyZjVh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dusk2Dawncatering?mibextid=JRoKGi
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dusk2dawnprivatechefcatering?si=nHsZ8nJ77LYsgtRw
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dusk2dawnprivatec?_t=8jXapV5dEWk&_r=1