We recently connected with Kayla Briscoe and have shared our conversation below.
Kayla , appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
One of the most pivotal lessons I learned came during a time when I was working as a line cook at a café in Baltimore in 2021. I had been in the restaurant industry for five years and was passionate about plant-based food, but I was living paycheck to paycheck, earning around $400–500 per week. While I loved cooking, I knew deep down I wasn’t being challenged or valued the way I needed to grow.
Early in that job, the café owner invited me to a grand opening at Liora, a beautiful plant-based fine dining restaurant with an open kitchen and vibrant energy. The moment I stepped inside, something clicked. I knew I wanted to be part of that world—one where creativity, quality, and intention were at the forefront.
I applied for a line cook position at Liora but didn’t hear back for months. Meanwhile, I continued to pour my heart into my work at the café. Eventually, the owner sat down with me to talk about growth opportunities, even offering some space for creative input. But then she said something that changed everything: “No one is going to pay you more than $18 an hour.” That moment hit me hard—but instead of discouraging me, it lit a fire. I realized I could no longer align myself with environments that capped my potential.
Not long after, I received an offer from Liora—the same place the café owner had taken me to—without ever knowing it would be the catalyst for my leap forward. I took the job, and within just three months, I was promoted to Sous Chef on salary. It was confirmation: never settle, and never let someone else define your worth.
Years later, after I had grown my career and was working as Sous Chef at another restaurant, I received an unexpected email—from that same café owner. She had been following my journey on TikTok and was now offering me an Executive Chef position with a $70,000 salary. I didn’t take the job, but that moment was full circle. It reminded me that staying true to yourself, even when no one else sees the vision, always pays off.
As a business owner now, that experience guides everything I do. I show up for myself, I trust my vision, and I never wait for external validation. You get to decide your worth—and when you lead from that place, you’ll attract opportunities aligned with your highest self.
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?
Greetings, Kayla—a chef, creative entrepreneur, and the founder of Oneself Wellness, a brand rooted in Soul, Enlightenment, Love, and Food. I also run Blissfully Escaped, a platform focused on solo, luxury, and queer-friendly travel and lifestyle. At my core, I’m someone who believes that food should do more than just nourish—it should heal, inspire, and connect us to ourselves and the world around us.
I got my start in the restaurant industry over 8 years ago, working my way up from line cook to Sous Chef. Along the way, I discovered my deep love for vegetables—not as a side, but as the star of the plate. My culinary style is centered on bringing vegetables, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms to life in inventive, soulful ways. I specialize in plant-based cuisine that draws inspiration from cultures around the world, and I’m especially passionate about fermentation and crafting small-batch vegan cheeses and cheesecakes from scratch. Working closely with whole ingredients allows me to pour all of my energy, care, and creativity into every dish—and I truly believe that when food is made with love, it feeds the soul.
That belief led me to launch Oneself Wellness, where I offer private chef services, consulting, and catering. Whether I’m preparing intimate, meals in a client’s home, helping others develop menus rooted in wellness, or catering intentional events, I approach every project with the same goal: to create an experience that nourishes from the inside out.
My culinary philosophy is simple but powerful: let food be the medicine. When we eat well and with intention, we create moments of bliss, connection, and healing—and those feelings ripple out into every other part of life. That’s why I cook the way I do: from scratch, with intention, and in harmony with nature’s abundance.
Beyond the kitchen, I also share content and guides through Blissfully Escaped, helping people—especially those who are queer, solo travelers, and people of color—feel seen, safe, and inspired while exploring the world. I blend culinary storytelling, travel insights, and spiritual reflections to create a lifestyle that’s full of joy, freedom, and authenticity.
What sets me apart is how I show up. I bring presence, purpose, and deep care into everything I create. Whether I’m behind the stove, curating a travel guide, or just speaking my truth online, it all comes from the same place: love and alignment. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built a life and business that reflect exactly who I am—and that I get to help others do the same through food, travel, and intentional living.
If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my work, it’s this: You deserve to live, eat, and experience joy in a way that feels true to you. And I’m here to help you taste that freedom—one soulful bite at a time.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
I met my business partner, Natalie Carter, while working at Liora, the plant-based fine dining restaurant where I got my first shot at being a Sous Chef. Natalie was the one who believed in me and gave me that opportunity—and it changed the course of my life. Not only is she one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met, but she’s also hands down the best chef I’ve ever had the honor of working with.
What truly connected us was our shared passion for food and wellness. We both see food not just as something to eat, but as a pathway to healing, creativity, and joy. Natalie recognized my talent early on and never hesitated to support and uplift me. Her belief in me played a huge role in where I am today, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
Together, we co-founded Oneself Wellness, a business rooted in Soul, Enlightenment, Love, and Food. We make an incredible team because our values are aligned—we both lead with heart, intention, and a deep respect for the power of nourishing experiences. Being a business owner can be challenging, but having someone by your side who you trust wholeheartedly makes all the difference. I feel incredibly lucky to have met Natalie in this lifetime—not just as a co-founder, but as a true friend I can walk through this journey with.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
This pivot is actually unfolding in real time. As of July 13th, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I chose to leave my full-time job as a Sous Chef to fully focus on myself and my own business. It was a decision that didn’t come lightly. I was nervous—stepping away from a secure role in the industry I’ve been part of for years felt like walking into the unknown. But something in me knew it was time.
As I enter my final week at my current position, I already feel a powerful shift happening. I can see my future unfolding into everything I’ve ever imagined—and more. The moment I chose to trust, to let go, and to bet on myself, the universe responded. Since putting in my notice, I’ve already received two new business opportunities. It’s like everything I had been waiting for was just on the other side of my decision to leap.
For so long, the only thing holding me back was me—my own fear, my own hesitation. But I’m done shrinking. I’m ready to expand, to live boldly, and to pour everything I have into my purpose. This pivot is more than just a career change; it’s a declaration that I’m ready for the life I’ve always dreamed of. And for the first time, I truly believe it’s mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kaylabriscoe.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm
- Instagram: oneselfwellnessco (buisness) 2k888_ (fitness) tokayo__(personal)
- Youtube: OneselfPodcast
- Other: TikTok – 2k888__
