Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robin McCoy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Robin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on so far is the culinary program at Oak Grove Center. This project was instituted during a summer program through a nonprofit organization called Women Organizing Women, Inc. The organization needed a location to house the Showcase of the Arts summer program when Tammy Wilson, CEO of Oak Grove Center provided the facility and youth to attend.

Oak Grove Center is a nonprofit Residential, Education and Treatment Center for at-risk and special needs youth. Oak Grove’s mission is to rebuild the lives of at-risk children and their families through educating, healing, restoring relationships, building character and instilling hope

The summer program,” Showcase of the Arts” was created by Tina Batten of Sister Batten Productions who first introduced a concept to host an artist showcase at my place of business, Robin’s Nest Desserts and Catering in Old Town Temecula in 2012 which allow artist a platform to express their Artistries to customers in the form of spoken word, visual arts, book signings. album launching and more.

So, in 2013 the summer program at Oak Grove Center was called the Showcase of the Arts which allowed the youth to showcase their talents under the umbrella of the Visual Arts, Dance, Poetry, music, and Culinary (baking).

The program is meaningful to me simply because of the internal and external reward of giving back which brings a feeling of satisfaction in a sense.

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

I grew up in Gary, Indiana the youngest of four children. My parents migrated from the south (Mississippi) to Gary, In because of job opportunities with the steel mills. My parents were able to acquire a three flat apartment building and became landlords as we occupied the lower-level apartment. My father did find work at the steel mills but soon after was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of 39.

This left my mother widowed at the age of 37 raising four children the oldest 11 and the youngest (me) five. My mother soon began working as a cook in several kitchens which assisted her in sustaining the household. My mother with a 3rd-grade education was actively working, managing a building with tenants and later became a small business owner opening her very own restaurant in Gary, In 17th and Madison. My mother operated the restaurant until she herself began having health challenges and eventually passed away at the age of 62.

I did not know at the time that I was being mentored by her work ethics and her determination to succeed with massive odds against her.

I never imagine that I would pick up a trade such as baking or owning a business. I was an average student with little support to push me further in achieving higher level grades and provide the training of good study habits. Around my junior year, I began to get a little more serious about my grades as I thought of the possibility of going off to college.

My first attempt I enroll at Indiana State University and failed my very first year. I then enrolled in a community college achieve receiving my associate degree which became a self-esteem booster to achieve receiving my Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. I started working in the field of accounting over 30 years ago and later received an MBA in Public Administration.

All these life events propelled me into becoming a small business owner opening Robin’s Nest Desserts and Catering in Oldtown Temecula in 2011 and establishing the 501C3 for Women Organizing Women, Inc 2013.

My faith in God, Jesus Christ my Savior and the Holy Spirit is the catalyst in which I persevere. I believe that each generation should go further in life than the previous generation.

My mother setting the example of Community and Commerce as she operated her business daily, showed me that community was important not only as customers but also for providing support. I still remember an elderly woman who was a regular customer became one of our tenants in the building and another time when my mother opened her home to a large family, providing shelter for a woman with children who had nowhere to live.

I began to model what I knew. It was easy, it felt like riding a bike. I began teaching culinary baking at Oak Grove Center as a volunteer and received the volunteer of the year award in 2014 even though I was not looking for an award. It was a surprise that you would receive an award for volunteering.

We started in the home ed classroom in 2013, graduated to the kitchen in the cafeteria and in 2019 we open our very own bakery in Old Town Temecula at the Truax Building. The progression of the program is a testimony of the hearts dedicated to changing the lives of underrepresented youth. This to me brings bonus purpose.

My current position is Culinary Director of Programs and Executive Pastry Chef for Oak Grove Culinary Creations is so thrilling to me, to say the least.

I also continue to actively work as the President Chair of Women Organizing Women, Inc. my other love is supporting women in underserved communities. I believe as women leaders especially; we should utilize our platform to assist other women who have the desire to become entrepreneurs especially those women who are less fortunate.

Women Organizing Women provide tools, training, resources through our annual women outreach and through the Lydia Market Place Coffee and Devotion providing a platform for women to build relationship, Women Organizing Women have expanded this outreach to Africa and India.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being a social creative. This means that you create to make positive change in your community. That we do not forget the less fortunate and that we lend a helping hand on our way “to the top” Be a Change Agent for good. Create with purpose

Have you ever had to pivot?

I remember a time so clearly when I had to pivot during my business journey. I had left my first business location because of a partnership that went south. My husband was retiring from work, and I needed to find work that would give me health benefits. I prayed for something flexible that I could still cater on the side and would provide the health benefits that was needed. I felt ashamed that as a business owner at the time, I had to find traditional work to sustain my household for what was needed at the time.
I stayed at this new place of employment for 1 year when I received the call to oversee the Culinary Program at Oak Grove Center. Everything I learned at that place of employment are tools that I utilize daily when overseeing the operations at Oak Grove Culinary Creations.
My message to business owners, creatives, and everyone who reads this; is to never stop believing in what you set out to do. Evaluate what is required to accomplish your goals and do it. Do it without shame or blame. Just Finish. Finish Strong

Contact Info:

• Website: www.culinarycreationsoakgrove.org www.oakgrovecenter.org www.temeculadesserts.com www.womenorganizingwomeninc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ogculinarycreations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OGCulinaryCreations
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oak-grove-center-culinary-creations-temecula

Image Credits
Violet June Photography