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

Gabriella, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

When things are going right in our businesses we tend to love it and can’t imagine doing anything else! However, when things are bad, I believe we have this thought probably 1000 times a day! With the way the world is right now, staffing shortages, prices for gas and food going up daily, it is only normal that we feel we are one rollercoaster. May of times I ask myself why I put myself through the stress of what the world now brings as the “new normal” in the workplace. Wouldn’t it be easier to just sell my company, and go work for someone else…. less stress, headaches, etc. All though that sounds nice sometimes, that is just not me! I love the chaos that it brings… .well sometimes because I am a problem solver! I love motivating my staff, pouring into them how great they are and inviting in them! I love the purpose and mission of the company Ii have created and to see how much of a positive impact it not only makes on our customers, but is making in our local community! We truly care for our customers, we truly care for our staff and we truly care for our community! Yes, sometimes it feels like it is tom much, but it takes crazy entrepreneurs like me to overcome the crazy, keep pushing forward and help change the world for the better! Our customers are always telling us how much we mean to them and how we go above and beyond! We have homeless initiatives in place to serve those in need. We volunteer and give back! We are more than a company… we are Chefella’s!

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

Gabriella Terry is the President & CEO of Chefella’s, LLC located in Clayton, NC. She received degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Mangement, traveled abroad in Europe and upon returning, opened her own business
Chefella’s, LLC as a young entrepeneur at the age of 23.
Gabriella is no stranger to the Hospitality Industry, for her creditials
include ‘Chefella’s Cafe & Event Planning’ which grew into
‘Chefella’s Catering & Events’, ‘Chefella’s at the Dupree House Restaurant’,
‘Rosebud Cafe’ (Seasonal Pool Cafe) and her newest adventure, ‘Ella’s Eats
Food Truck’.
She is very active in her community where she serves as Clayton Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors, HYPE (Helping Yound Professionals Engage)
Steering Committee, Ambassadors Committee, DDA Activities Committee, and
BRIDGE Committee.
Gabriella has received awards such as Student Ambassador while attending
college, Taste of Carolina Award, Clayton Chamber of Commerce Business of
the Month, Clayton Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, Athena
Powerlink Recipient, Alignable Local Main Street Mentor Award and Alignable
Local Business Person of the Year. Recently in 2022, Featured in the top 55
“Women to KNOW in North Carolina” in a published edition and a Finalist in
2022 Athena Young Professional Leadership Award.
Her interests are shopping, water sports – snorkeling, spending time with family
and friends, traveling, and trying new food.
Her goal is to continue to grow the Chefella’s brand, expand into other areas,
and be a role model to other young woman. “You can achieve anything you
want as long as you dream big, keep God first and be a go-getter, and go for it!”
Gabriella is really passionate about the homeless community and developed a
program called “Chef In The Community” where she gives back and feeds the
homeless and provides personal hygiene items.
She is also passionate about equality for all with a focus on opportunity for
minorities in the workforce. She created a program for the Clayton Chamber of
Commerce called “BRIDGE” where we focus on Building Relationships,
Impacting Diversity and Growing the Economy! Serving our local business
community by bridging the gaps surrounding diversity, cultural awareness and
integration in our local community is key to making a difference

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being active in my local community and giving back! Also we treat our customers like family. We call each customer after each order to ensure they are happy. We send cards for Holidays, etc. We try to volunteer for as many community events and possible. I as the owner personally serve on several committees and boards which allow me to give back as well as mentor others!

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

I once was told by a mentor that crying or showing emotion is a sign of weakness and that your team will take you for granted. I disagree….. I want my team to feel like family and be able to come to me with anything. Yes, there is a time and place for everything, however you never know what someone is dealing with and they may just need you in that moment or need to get out what is bothering them, thus they may cry! I believe in being YOU! Be 100% YOU and if you cry sometimes that is ok! Many of times passion produces tears therefore someone may cry when speaking because they really care!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chefellascateringevents.com
• Instagram: @chefellas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefellasCateringEventPlanning/
• Linkedin: @chefellas

Image Credits
j. truelove photography