We were lucky to catch up with Paige Nathan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paige, thanks for joining us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

Simply Food Trucks was founded in 2016 and has been the go-to food truck partner for the Atlanta metro area. And we are excited that we have recently expanded into other cities in the U.S. Simply Food Trucks partners with more than 100 of the hippest, fun food trucks, serving up cuisines from South of the Border, Southern, All-American and Asian, to dessert and coffee trucks.

Some of our most significant accomplishments include being a part of Super Bowl LIII, the Miss Universe Pageant, countless film productions, major sporting events (for players and fans), and a Food Truck Night for 10,000 guests at the Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Networking has been one of our biggest resources. We are very focused on the customer experience – before, during and after. We get to know our clients and their needs which has organically connected us to their colleagues in Atlanta and around the US.

This year our amazing food truck partners, Simply Food. Trucks served over 60,000 guests nationwide!
We have catered over 300 events for 147 clients.

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.

My journey into the vibrant world of food trucks began in Atlanta, GA back in 2014, right as they started rolling around the city. Inspired by the thriving scenes in cities like Los Angeles and Austin, I connected with fellow entrepreneurs who had witnessed the exponential growth in those areas. Fueled by my networking prowess and unwavering passion for food, Simply Food Trucks was born.

Recognizing a significant gap in the market, I identified the need for a platform that could effectively connect food truck vendors with their eager customers. As the popularity of food trucks surged, so did the challenges vendors faced in marketing and reaching their audience. It was clear to me that there was a prime opportunity to streamline this process and create a solution that benefited both vendors and food lovers alike.

Through dedication and perseverance, I cultivated strong relationships within the food truck community, earning the trust and support of vendors and customers nationwide. In just a few short years, Simply Food Trucks has blossomed into a thriving national company, empowering food truck owners and enthusiasts alike.

How’d you meet your business partner?

When I founded the company in 2014, my mission centered on orchestrating events that championed food-related causes, tackling issues like food insecurity, advocating for local farmers, and championing sustainability. Among the esteemed organizations we’ve supported are Second Helpings Atlanta, Global Growers, Chefs Collaborative, The Giving Kitchen, and Wholesome Wave. Our LLC, Food with Purpose, has evolved into the heart of our community engagement efforts.

In 2021, we made a strategic pivot to rebrand as Simply Food Trucks, a move aimed at amplifying the core essence of our business. Although we secured the domain in 2020, circumstances necessitated postponing the rebranding process for a year.

Networking has been one of my greatest assets. Despite the limitations on in-person meetings, I adeptly utilized platforms like Zoom throughout 2020-2021. Moreover, I’m deeply committed to fostering connections within the community of women entrepreneurs, proudly holding membership in Les Dames de Escoffier Atlanta Chapter and serving on the Advisory Board of ProWIN.

During a transformative ProWIN roundtable discussion, I had the privilege of encountering Stephanie Gustafson of Digital Rev Gen, a firm renowned for empowering entrepreneurs through precise sales and marketing strategies. This serendipitous encounter ignited the realization that Stephanie would be an indispensable ally in the relaunch of my business. Through Stephanie’s introduction, I was introduced to Emily Hunt of Hunt Media Group LLC, whose expertise was instrumental in crafting our brand identity and navigating our social media landscape. Thus, the dream team coalesced, poised to propel us toward new heights of success.

The key takeaway here is to excel in your strengths and complement them by enlisting the expertise of others to fill in any gap

Have you ever had to pivot?

The pandemic was challenging for everyone, but it hit particularly hard for me because my events were exclusively in-person and mainly catered to corporate clients. When the world came to a sudden halt, it felt like everything stopped.

However, amidst the chaos, food trucks showed incredible resilience. Many adapted by implementing online ordering systems and reaching out to neighborhoods, much to the delight of residents. In fact, it’s heartening to note that more new food trucks emerged from the pandemic than those that closed down.

In an effort to stay connected and support one another, I reached out to my contacts in the food truck industry. Luckily, one of my colleagues the Food Truck Association of Georgia was taking time off to homeschool her children. I stepped in to fill her shoes for a few months, lending a hand to the food truck community. Additionally, I seized opportunities to give back to frontline responders by providing them with treats and meals.

My fortunes took a turn in February of 2021 when I received inquiries from a reputable health and wellness company to organize an event for 10,000 people in July of the same year. It was difficult to envision the world fully operational by then, but we pressed forward, embracing this exciting endeavor.

We rallied together and began tackling the logistics of this ambitious event. With over 40 vendors, including food trucks and caterers, we successfully fed the 10,000 guests on a balmy summer night at The Home Depot Backyard.

The lesson here is to persevere, to exert effort, but also to have faith that the universe provides. It’s about rolling up our sleeves and putting in the hard work, even when the path seems uncertain and challenging. It’s about trusting in this cosmic dance of give and take, of planting seeds of effort and reaping the harvest of serendipity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simplyfoodtrucks.com
• Instagram: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Facebook: simply_food_trucks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyfoodtrucks
• Linkedin: Paige Nathan and SImply Food Trucks