We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justin & Jessica Bane. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Alright, Justin & Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Running a family business can be a beautiful and rewarding experience, and we are genuinely grateful to be third-generation owners of a restaurant that has served our community for 40 years. The honor of continuing the family legacy is something we cherish deeply. Working side by side as siblings adds an extra layer of happiness and fulfillment to our journey.

Of course, it’s not without its challenges. We’ve learned that running a successful family business requires intentionality and compartmentalization. While we share a strong bond as siblings, we understand the importance of separating family matters from business decisions. This mindset helps us maintain professionalism and prioritize providing high-quality service to our valued customers.

However, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. The joy of collaborating with family members who share the same values and vision is incomparable. Our tight-knit relationship allows us to navigate obstacles together and celebrate our successes with genuine enthusiasm.

Our customers become a part of our extended family, and we take pride in offering them an exceptional dining experience. We believe that the longevity of our business is a testament to the dedication and love poured into it by our grandparents and parents, and we strive to carry that legacy forward with the same passion.

As we look to the future, we remain open to the possibility of our children joining the business if they express genuine interest. However, we believe in giving them the freedom to explore their own paths and passions.

Overall, being in business together as siblings is a true blessing. Our shared journey has strengthened our bond as family members and business partners. We are excited about the future and committed to preserving the essence of our family business while embracing innovation to ensure its continued success for generations to come.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We are a cherished soul food and breakfast restaurant nestled in Inglewood, CA, at 1403 Centinela Ave, with a remarkable 40-year history. Our Grandfather’s vision took root in 1983 after moving from Hamilton, OH. In 2004, our parents assumed the reins, dedicated to providing exceptional soul food to the community until June of 2022 when my sister and I joyously took over, continuing the family legacy.

Renowned for our Catfish, grits, and eggs as well as other pleasantly surprising combinations, our menu boasts a delightful variety of soul food, including oxtails, beef short ribs, candied yams, and more. Every dish is crafted with love, paying homage to generations of culinary tradition.

However, what truly distinguishes us is the experience we offer each guest who enters our doors. Rooted in family values, our restaurant exudes warmth and hospitality. From the moment you step inside, you become part of our family. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity to create cherished memories in a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.

We take immense pride in preserving the legacy our Grandfather began and our parents nurtured. Serving our community is an honor, and our dedication to quality, authenticity, and customer service is unwavering.

As we forge ahead, our commitment to our heritage remains resolute. We are devoted to providing delectable meals made with the same love and care that have been our hallmark from the start.

So, whether you crave the perfect Catfish and grits or are eager to explore our soul food, we invite you to join us. As part of our extended family, we eagerly await your arrival, ready to extend a warm embrace and serve you with a spread of home cooking that exemplify the heart and soul of our restaurant.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

We were at a point in our family in which the fate of The Serving Spoon was critical, not due to the lack of support from the community, but instead the weight that it placed on our parents marriage. As the children of this family business we knew that we could be up for the challenge. After multiple conversations my brother and I discussed with our spouses and prayed about our decision. At the time I was a new mom, working in Corporate America all while recently finding out my second child was on the way. In the moment it sounded like a dream and a roller coaster all at the same time. I knew I had to come up with a plan, sacrifice spending as much time with my family and newborn, all while being able to have the impact on others and the balance in life that I had the desire to live. Once my newborn was born I spent as much time as I could bonding, and then it was time to shift gears. When we first took over, I was spread thin with working both The Serving Spoon, my Corporate job, being a mom of two under two and making sure my husband was still pleased with the wife he chose. Needless to say over a year later we are all still happy and pleased with the decision.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

During my time at the Air Force Academy, I (Justin) had this eye-opening experience: I learned the importance of saying hello with my headphones off. You see, whenever I hit the gym, I used to say hi to people while listening to Drake with my headphones on. But it hit me that I couldn’t really connect with them or hear what they were saying. It was like a wake-up call, especially as I took on leadership roles.

I realized that being ready for genuine communication meant being fully present in the moment. It’s about actively listening and being open to what people have to say. This became even more crucial when I became a leader – I wanted to be there for my team, really hear their thoughts and feelings.

This lesson stuck with me, and now it’s a big part of how I interact with others. Whether it’s in my personal life or running the restaurant, we make sure to foster real connections. Being genuinely engaged with our employees and customers is what makes our restaurant special.

So, I carry this lesson with me everywhere, keeping it at the core of who I am as a person and as a business owner. It’s all about building those meaningful relationships, and it has truly enriched my life in more ways than I could have imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theservingspoon.net
• Instagram: @theservingspoon
• Facebook: The Serving Spoon Restaurant
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-serving-spoon-inglewood

Image Credits
Dino Mosely Photography Viral Foodie