We were lucky to catch up with Noni Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Noni , appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I’m looking to build a legacy that people will talk about long after I’m gone that despite what life throws at you, despite what society says that you can and WILL overcome! I want to be remembered for the purity of my heart, the genuine love and encouragement that I give to people,no matter their circumstance(s), their walk of life, their past or present.
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?
I’m a big city girl that moved south and discovered my passion for cooking, I discovered my desire to help heal others.
I got into the food business because I got tired of seeing all the brokeness taking place in people and families. I didn’t want to have a big restaurant or anything like that I wanted to bring a personal hands on touch and so I chose to become a personal chef. I wanted to have the opportunty to connect with a person in their comfort zone, and provide them an environment where they could speak freely and not worry about who’s looking or who can hear, I wanted them to not feel shame or judgement while in my presence and when it’s all said and done I provide them with a meal that I have put my heart into as well as theirs after hearing their story. I shower them with compassion and understanding while encouraging them to keep praying, keep standing and keep loving THEMSELVES as God does.
What sets me apart from others in this industry is that it’s not for money or fame or even recognition from the masses but recognition from the one who blessed my hands to do what I do.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Oh geesh! Lol. Well because I had ZERO training or knowledge about entrepreneurship I solely funded my business in the beginning. I had a vision and I just ran with it. I didn’t think about having people pay a deposit so I would pay for everything out of pocket and then HOPEFULLY recoup it on the back end, but lemme tell ya, I ate Ramen and sacrificed A LOT just to make sure I had the necessary products for my meals.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My flexibility! And I don’t mean time wise, I mean as for the catering I do to each persons likes and dislikes. For instance, when I do my weekend meals. I make my mashed potatoes from scratch and MOST times I leave the skin on but I have a couple of clients who don’t like the skin, so even though I may have orders for 15 people who don’t mind the skin, I will prepare a separate pot for those 2 who don’t like skin or when I make my chicken lasagna, it has onions in it but I have ONE client who doesn’t like onions so guess what? I make a separate small pan just for her! Does it take more time? Most certainly but I like for my clients to be satisfied and they appreciate the extra care I take to give them what they want AND it keeps them coming back AND it keeps them bragging about me to others. Word of mouth is THEE BEST advertisement!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/msnoniskitchen
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/nonisofficial