Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hassan Al-wali. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hassan , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
Unexpectedly being incarcerated over a misunderstanding with a law officer, assuming I kidnapped my son that I walk in the store with. Typical bullshit.
On December 8th, 2023, I was incarcerated. Lost everything. Over a racial misunderstanding in Leon County, located in Tallahassee, FL. Damn near a whole year.
I lost everything but gained so much wisdom in the process. Making the experience nothing more than blessing in disguise, believe it or not. I became more in tune with myself, and with me always on go, I was graced with nothing but time to reconstruct myself. I gained deep faith in Islam, picked brothers up, became wiser, more of a father, and learned how to be a leader & a blessing upon others in the darkest times of my life. I realized how powerful I am, because God molded me to be bigger than my situation. God, once before, created something special in the rain of my footsteps. In all honestly, if I could do it all again I would just because it was a wakeup call in my career & life. Now I’m at FAMU medical school & studying to be in the operating room.
I read in the Nobel Quran, “When Allah blesses, he overflow” . . . .
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is حسان القبور (Hassan Al-Wali)
Also known as the legendary “Chef Spodee”. I’m the owner & creator of “The Chef’s Trap”.
I offer the best private dinners, catering, and meal prep in the south.
I started cooking on the side of the streets of Decatur in 2020 around COVID, then blew up off catering/cooking meals for major clients such as Coi Leray, Jacquees, Diamond from Crime Mob, and more.
What separates me from others, is my relationships with my clients. I love my clients whether it’s just a plate or a catered meal, the love will always be shown & is greatly received by them. Cuz look, in all honesty what makes us all different is what make us all great.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective way I’ve been able to grow clients is “Bark.com” and Instagram.
Bark.com is a platform like “thumbtack” that give people a way to look for different things such as caterers, planners, hair stylist, etc.
Instagram is very useful, people love looking at my reels. Paying for marketing little by little, brings more traffic to my page and website also.
The last way that will always work is to hit the streets and pass out flyers as if I’m trying to promote a mixtape back in 03.
Word of mouth is the best way to gain traffic & to show who u are as well.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Funding was a blessing when I started.
I had a friend of mine that was dating a truck driver at the time. He was driving for a seafood company at first and they’ll give him crab legs faithfully, every week.
I had food stamps, & decided to take those crab legs and buy crab boil ingredients. I sold the cheapest crab legs in Decatur.
In one day, I made $4k, then I realized I was in the right business.
I gave my home girl $1500
Re-upped on supplies and it went up ever since.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheChefsTrap.com
- Instagram: @ChefSpodee
Image Credits
Photos by Hassan Al-Wali