We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Lindsey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

As a business owner, starting and sustaining a business requires loyal customers. I’ve always lived and worked by the motto “Treat people the way you’d want to be treated”. At Ginger Yum, LLC, we always strive to provide our customers with an outstanding experience in all aspects of our business. We prefer to call this, “sharing a ginger experience”. The Ginger Experience can take on many forms of customer expeiences-from sharing the benefits and purpose of our products at in-person events, timely responding to customer emails and doing what it takes, responsibly, to ensure we close all transactions of our customers and those of interest with a pleasant encounter. Pre COVID, we offered our local Metro Atlanta customers delivery at no extra charge. This invitation extended and the delivery parameters expanded during COVID with no-contact delivery. We received so many appreciated responses because we did not change who we are. We enhanced our safety protocals according to COVID-19 and delivered the “Essentials” that were still needed to our customers. We believe in our product, remained true to the product quality and service we provided, stayed transparent in our communication and in return we have Loyal Ginger Yum Family Members.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a Memphis, TN native, my life thus far has been a validation of the “Six Degree of Separation” concept. I firmly believe that within this circle, are the perfect persons to benefit from mutual support during this journey. I am blessed and honored to have been a leader in a Fortune 100 company for over 28 years. My previous employer also emphasized being a responsible community partner and received national recognition for supporting small businesses as well as businesses owned by women of color. I’ve always had that “entrepreneurial spirit”, but I also desired to make a meaningful contribution that goes beyond money and status. In response to my heart and head, I called upon my upbringing and management repertoire layered on the foundation of integrity, judgement and customer loyalty and started Ginger Yum, LLC.

Ginger Yum began its journey in 2015 and was created to re-introduce the ginger root and all its’ healthy properties with an added twist, it has the most pleasant aroma! Ginger is not only great for internal consumption, it also has excellent benefits when used as a topical. The decision to emphasize nature’s gift of the Ginger Root in our products is one based on our commitment to finding a healthier, natural personal care alternative to often odorous, ineffective and preservative laden body products offered by other companies.

We have taken Ginger Yum to the people. We have presented our products in very diverse venues ranging from the United States highest rated farmers markets to shopping malls in Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Burlington, VT, Memphis,TN and Atlanta, GA. to mention a few. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. By a huge majority, those who experienced Ginger Yum had a favorable impression of our product. With regards to business acumen, jointly, my husband/business partner and I have over 60 years of experience in leading high performing operations for a Fortune 100 Company. We have transformed difficult operations into high performing operations resulting in increased productivity, improved service and Corporate margins. We are now using those acquired tools for our own business, Ginger Yum, LLC.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2017, I was diagnosed with Scleroderma, Mixed Connective Tissue disorder. This diagnoses took its toll not only on my body, but also my mental. I’m grateful to have my husband and soul mate who not only had to come to terms with his wife’s diagnosis, but whom also is my rock. My husband, Calvin, is always encouraging me which helped me get to this current state of stabilty with my auto-immune disorder. And yet, Ginger Yum continues.

Since COVID-19 and due to my auto-Immune, we have relocated from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX and have repositioned our business to all online services which is an everchanging landscape with no guarantee of a successful ROI. As a responsible business owner, I owe it to our customers a continuous evalution of our products and processes. It is a source of pride we maximized our vendor relationships in order to avoid price increases throughout the 2022 fiscal year. In addition, the hurdle of online marketing and making products that are best experienced in person required increased spends in marketing and advertisement.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2016, Essence invited Ginger Yum to share our candles in their new Essence Beauty Box Project. After accepting the assignment, we invested, my family and I produced 13,000 2oz. Ginger Yum Soy Massage Candles. Our candles were featured in the June 2016 Essence Beauty Box. We produced the candles 30 days ahead of the deadline. It took long days, long nights, and financial sacrifices, but we completed the project while discovering processes that we continue to benefit from today. Ginger Yum was featured in Essence and on Essence social media platforms. The response was well received. Unfortunately, the Beauty Box Project dissolved for Essence the Fall of 2016, but Ginger Yum continues and is very appreciative for the exposure and opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gingeryum.com
• Instagram: gingeryum_
• Facebook: Embracethewarmthofthesun
• Youtube: Ginger Yum Embrace the Warmth

Image Credits
Product Pictures by Saki @ IG: umegraphy87