We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ramaj “Lola” Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ramaj “Lola”, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

There are many things I do with my business that are not implemented into everyday food service. It’s very important for for me to set myself apart from many of the food practices we participate in.

Nothing is perfect, and we grow and innovate but it seems to me that our food production has been tainted by capitalism and consumerism. It’s causing our misfortune. I think it’s very important to treat our food way better than we ever have. We understand what’s happening to our bodies. We feel the hormones and see the effects. I chose to fight these things.

I chose to spread the word about food injustice and sovereignty. I work with others that are aware of these things and work themselves to break free. As am I

My business practices involve self processing, local collaboration, seasonality and sustainability, spirituality, and ever evolvement. You are what you eat.

Many food companies are focused on things like money and expansion. I like to think I’m taking a slow approach to victory by being true to the land and the people and love.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name’s Ramaj Young. I’m a personal chef and I own Young Honey PC (YHPC). YHPC is a private catering company and we curate menus and food events that reconnect you with food and your dining experience.

I’ve been in the food industry for 10 years and I’ve been running YHPC for 2 now. I’ve always wanted to be a chef because learning how to cook food saved my life. Being a chef helps me connect with the community, it helps me express myself and provide for myself and others. With my business I encourage others to foster their relationship with food to create health and wellness for themselves

YHPC services intimate events, personal catering and consulting .

YHPC specializes in balanced meals and fresh flavors. We want our clients to have delicious food experiences they wont forget.

We work sustainably and with spirit to ensure a wholesome experience for all around. Food creates memories, bonds and connections, it’s important for us to take care of that at YHPC. It makes the food taste better, honestly.

I’m proud of my business, it is ever evolving. Its small and adaptable. Its unapologetic and mighty. YHPC has no limits, We can pop up anywhere and provide a great meal. When you eat our food you feel good.

With Young Honey PC I’ll continue to use my platform to spread awareness about having a healthy relationship with food. I will keep working with chefs and clients that are adamant about healthy and happy food production. I will accomplish my wildest dreams and travel the world with my cooking and participate in spectacular, life changing opportunities.

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

It’s amazing how many times in life you’ll be knocked down and will have to get right back up. You absolutely have to look at it that way being a business owner. Sometimes everyday you’ll face a situation where resilience is key. Many things are out of our control.
Rejection is something that tests my resilience often as a business owner. Rejection can mean so many things. It’s like sales, there’s way more no’s than yeses. I find myself being discouraged often when I speak to people about my business, my services or need for support. You can even even shut down when you forget about the purpose and meaning of your journey.

But there are exercises to keep you on the path. There are practices, they often feel like secrets, that can help you look past rejection, that makes it small in this big picture. Affirmations, confirmation, reminders, a good support system, cause and effect, the law of attraction, etc.

We have so much more power than we know.

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

At one point I’m my career a family friend of mine offered to be an investor for my business. They believed in me and wanted to to help fund my ideas. We had almost a year of preparation for my big revealing of a business plan and beginning of a new chapter. During the preparation there had been different times I had questioned the validity of this transaction and I was always assured that the investment was well deserved and basically a sure thing.

So I went ahead with it. I curated my plan, I made preparations to execute it and was told to go on and quit my jobs, I will receive the money soon to begin this new journey

Unexpectedly though, I had been completely ghosted by the family friend and I was crushed, understanding that what I had been prepping for almost a year was more than likely not happening. I lost hope for many things going through that. I felt betrayed by my people, and my city. I had to start over. I needed to find stable work again and pick myself back up.

It led me to deciding to move to Miami. That experience helped me realize I hadn’t thought big enough. I hadn’t thought past my hometown, the endless possibilities all around me. I chose to leap and follow a different path. It helped me realize that anywhere I go, when I’m being myself people will believe in me.

Four months later I moved to Miami. Maybe in spite of escaping my pain and failed attempt but also to find a safe space and doing whatever it takes to follow my dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.younghoneypc.com
• Instagram: @younghoneypc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefRamaj?mibextid=LQQJ4d