We were lucky to catch up with Orneary Conley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Orneary , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

On May 30, 2023, I decided to close my brick-and-mortar store. It was time to renew or terminate a five-year lease, and I had already decided that, since the owner refused to sell me the commercial building, I wasn’t going to renew. I knew it was a risky move, but I had already decided to focus on building my brand through social media, selling products, and private events. Upon closing the store, I was approached by a long-standing promoter client who put on comedy and entertainment tours worldwide to join the 40city tour as a tour caterer. Were talking some of the biggest names in the industry, Mike Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Lil Duval, Mojo Brooks, etc.. Usually, I am the caterer for the MN stop, but 40 unknown cities, arenas, and state-to-state would be the most significant risk of my 13 years as a caterer. I left home on February 8, 2024, and returned on May 18, 2024. We successfully chose and executed 30 cities, stayed in 23 states, lived in 26 Airbnb, four hotels, etc… My two sons and husband accompanied me as they worked in the business. It was the most exciting and scariest thing we’ve done to date. However, we’ve successfully launched the tour catering segment of the industry and established ourselves as the entertainment caterer of choice.

Orneary , 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?

Like a glimmering spark that ignites an inferno, Mrs. O’s love for cooking began in humble beginnings. In her tender years, as she prepared meals for her siblings as a chore in the poorest parts of Chicago, she discovered the magic of culinary arts. Her passion grew and blossomed as she honed her skills as a volunteer on the church cooking team, where she crafted soulful creations that would later enchant the palates of many and lead to her opening her first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Little did she know that move would shape the cooking career she now embodies,

As a renowned traveling chef, event caterer, and tour caterer, Mrs. O has symbolized excellence in her field. Born and raised in Chicago, this culinary magician has been happily married for seven years and blessed with a blended family of six children. Her culinary venture, founded in 2011, has gained recognition for celebrity and entertainment catering services, catering to musical legends such as Mary-Mary, Fred Hammond, Stephanie Mills, Johnny Gill, Atlantic Star, and more. She has also catered to famous comedians such as the late John Witherspoon, Mike Epps, and Katt Williams, showcasing her expertise in the culinary world.

Mrs. O’s culinary achievements are not limited to her exquisite dishes. She has been featured on Kare 11 News, In The Sun Newspaper, MN Spokesman Recorder, and Voyage Magazine for her exceptional contributions to the industry. She has also partnered with significant non-profits and Fortune 500 companies, showcasing her culinary prowess to various audiences.

In 2022, Mrs. O’s restaurant and catering business was named the Family Business of the Year by Black Business Enterprise, and in 2023, Sun Post awarded her catering business the prestigious “Best Caterer” Award. Many have enjoyed her culinary creations, and she takes pride in her award-winning dishes.

In 2024, Mrs. O’s first E-book, “Soulfood Playbook – Win-Win Recipes for Any Given Sunday,” will be released in the second quarter, paired with her Soulful Creations seasonings line. With her expertise and passion for culinary art, Mrs. O is confident that she can make any event unforgettable, whether a formal business event or a personal celebration. Her dishes are tailored to meet specific needs, and she looks forward to bringing her soulful creations to the world.

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

Consistency was a crucial element in building my reputation. I wanted to set a standard of excellence, going beyond the call of duty and appealing to my clients every time. As caterers, I believe we don’t always see ourselves as partners in the big picture. Each time I was hired into a space, I would use that as an opportunity to connect with the participants of the event, helping them move through the buffet lines, answering questions about the food, or assisting in the flow; I committed to ensuring my client didn’t have to take on the role of food provider when they had so much more to execute. I did this whether it was a paid service or not until clients were willing to pay for the service as an add-on because it lightened their load and made them look good in the process.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As the first business owner in my family, there was little to no mentorship, advice, or direction when I opened my business. I was literally learning how to do business and operating a business at the same time mixed in with no formal training in my craft, I was destined to face many challenges. And I did. My biggest challenge early on was being a single mother of four with a brand-new business. Just thinking back I have no idea how I made it through aside from trusting God you gave me this gift so it has to work. In two short years after opening the first brick-and-mortar restaurant, I had to close; the overhead, the lack of training, and the fact that black business wasn’t a thing then, coupled with little to no financial resources, I had no choice. I took my sorrow to my pastors, who helped me see that I was the business, not the building I was leaving and that as long as I was alive and willing, the business would live on. That was the best advice I’ve ever received. I forged as resilient as ever, landing my first corporate catering contract. That move would position me to become the caterer I am today, catering to many Fortune 500 companies and celebrities and traveling the world. It took all the resilience I could muster after that initial shock.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rck-soulfood.ueniweb.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rck_soulfood/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RCKSoulFood/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orneary-conley-1731a964/
• Twitter: https://x.com/MzPuritee