We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Beck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.
Jasmine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
My background is in mixology- sunshine Alchemy was originally created to be a frozen drink truck with the intention of serving alcohol. I Soon learned that you cannot sell alcohol on a mobile unit except for private events- so I quickly in my business model to include food. I have been living a mostly plant-based lifestyle for quite a few years and I believe it is the best way of eating for the future health of our planet and our bodies.
It has been a challenging journey, but even in the past five years, I have noticed a large shift in plant-based food and awareness. I am honored to be able to work in a field, where I feel as though I can contribute to the evolution of the collective conscience we still do private events where we cater with cocktails but we mostly Cater with food.
Jasmine, 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?
We have been featured in all these publications- Voyage Atl
Shoutout Atl
Eater Atlanta
Sunshine Alchemy Food Truck serves organic fusion Veganish comfort food and delicious housemade drinks.
Featuring the Impossible Burger & Impossible Taco Nachos, homemade vegan sauces and housemade organic BBQ jackfruit!
We also have a “Chicken Menu” which features chicken for all of the meat eaters out there!
We were recently voted critic’s choice for best Atl food truck in Creative Loafing! ✨✨
The Sunshine Alchemy truck is a converted FBI surveillance truck, covered in old railroad track wood and aluminum siding, creating fun and rustic aesthetic that is suitable for any event.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Covid!! As everyone had to endure the pandemic over several years, our business really had to shift gears in order to stay afloat!
What seemed like overnight, all of our events were canceled, and no one was hiring food trucks. I did not want to lose my business, so I decided to sign up for all of the online ordering platforms like Uber eats DoorDash and GrubHub. For almost 2 years, I parked my food truck in my driveway and served lunch and dinner via the online platforms.
I would wake up, prep the truck for lunch, serve lunch. Then take a two hour break go to yoga, come back and work dinner. It was an exhausting experience, but I am so grateful that I decided to do it. It’s saved my business, and also introduced me to customers and clients that I never would’ve met otherwise.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
This is a hard one, is anyone who has started a new business on their own knows.
I had save some money and was able to purchase my food truck with a line of credit from my bank, but I was unable to get any business loans or lines of credit as I did not have any history as a business owner. I took out several credit cards and several individual loans which took me more than four years to pay back. Now I’m in a position where I am constantly being approached by companies, trying to lend me money. it’s one of those things where you have to have experience in order to have the option of receiving funding. Luckily, with the right amount of perseverance and good credit, I was able to manage to find my business solely on my own. I am grateful every day that I did not have to seek. Investors or give away any of my equity.
As we move forward with the Sunshine Alchemy brand, I am hopeful I can continue to be the sole proprietor in our first brick and mortar in Atlanta, and perhaps eventually franchise so that other people can enjoy the brand and the lifestyle of the concept.
Contact Info:
- Website: SunshineAlchemy.com
- Instagram: @sunshinealchemy
- Facebook: @SunshineAlchemy
- Other: thefoodtruckassociationofgeorgia.com