We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jhy Coulter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jhy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Yes! Travel is vital. I can’t focus at all without seeing something new every once in while. I will intentionally save money for travel and frequently get antsy staying home too long. Sometimes even taking a trip for a business conference or something that still keeps me learning and growing is a great excuse for me to go explore somewhere else and check out the local vibe and food scene. I believe we were not meant to stay in one place forever.

Jhy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Devoured was born in my backyard in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Devoured Pizza is currently a pop-up restaurant concept that specializes in hand tossed pizza made to order. Combining eclectic ingredients and flavors on our pizzas as well as “snackums”, our version of small plates. Some examples of our pizza profiles are jalapeño bacon jam, black garlic ricotta, and butternut squash puree, just to name a few. Prior to COVID, I worked at a local pizzeria during college. After I graduated, I lived abroad as an English teacher and worked as a freelance graphic designer. After returning to the states, I worked under chef Brandon Winn at Webster House Kansas City and became a sous chef at UMB Bank’s executive kitchen soon after that. Like many in the industry, though, a few months later I found myself unemployed and antsy to get back into the kitchen. I decided to volunteer with my previous restaurant family at Webster, making meals for people in need during the pandemic. Around that same time, I found myself inspired by pop-ups in Spain arranged at local cafés and venues. With my own portable pizza oven that I had won on Instagram, I began working on my signature from scratch pizza dough. Fast forward 2 years later, Devoured has taken part in over 100 community pop-up events. We’ve been recognized as Best Pop-Up in Kansas City 2022 by The Pitch KC, have been highlighted by Startland News KC and Feast Magazine, made the cover of Kansas City Magazine, and most recently, I starred in HULU’s very first pizza competition show Best in Dough (Season 1, Episode 5). Honestly, all of these wonderful happenings have come from making something I love and I feel extremely grateful for all the opportunities that have come. My journey didn’t start out so amazing though. I have really worked my way up and it took many, many years. For 15 years I work in various restaurants from fast food to fine dining and I never realized how special me and food were together. It took me 6 years to graduate college because I didn’t have the income to support my education and I struggled as a musician, a graphic designer, and as an artist and could not figure myself out until I left the country. I saved every little bit of money I had and took a trip to visit my partner in Spain. This trip changed my life and my outlook on food. One thing remains throughout my journey, drive and consistency. I never stopped going, even when I felt lost.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think starting my business as a pop-up really made us who we are. We started small, out of the backyard and once we outgrew this we pivoted to collaborating with local businesses in our area. This really made us. We gained relationships with other small business owners and customers that became regulars. This created a network and had a social impact. When you’re a part of the community the support is insane and when someone needs something or you’re struggling you have peers that understand business struggles/personal struggles. It is necessary to know your community and to give back to it. Word of mouth has been extremely positive for Devoured. We pride ourselves in making everything fresh and it makes a difference in how people speak about us and our product, we also take care of our “pizza baes” and always want EVERYONE to feel comfortable when at our events. It’s more than the food, its a vibe.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I listen to business podcasts, youtube videos, and read EVERYDAY. This is mainly because I am obsessed and I’m always thinking of new ideas or ways to progress and learn. My main things on Youtube are, Social Proof, Idea Generation, tons of food video shows. I listen to a lot of music, lounge / lofi tunes, Larry June, Gorillaz, Action Bronson, anything that gets my mind motivated and pumped. Books that have really put new perspectives in me are, The Science of Getting Rich (I read this like once a month), Pizza Czar, and Think and Grow Rich, I also look at magazines like Thrasher for other inspiration. Podcasts are “How I Built this (NPR)”, “Business Wars”, “What’s Good Dough?”. Anything that opens my thoughts and mind is what I find most interesting and what allows me to create in my own way. It’s a way of life for me, I love it! It’s also super inspirational to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.devouredpopup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devouredpopup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Devouredpopup
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/devoured-pop-up-kansas-city

Image Credits
Anna Petrow (1) , TBL Photography (section 2, photo 1) , Zach Bauman (2,3), Jhy Coulter (4)