We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shalonda Massey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shalonda , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The Gumbo Lady ….. where do I start? I grew up in and out of foster homes for the beginning of my childhood. At the age of 4 I was adopted along with my older sister and younger brother. My adopted mother Sheila already had three children of her own so we then called ourselves the “Brady Bunch” three boys three girls haha. After being adopted life was ok but my mother wanted better. I remember her saying “I refuse to adopt you children and keep you in the same environment” that very next morning we were all on a plane to Houston , Texas. In Houston life was great in my eyes. We were able to be kids with no worries. I watched my mother cook along with her friends and my aunties. I remember the music playing and different smells throughout the house on Sundays and yes Thanksgiving was my favorite. Fast forwarding we eventually moved back to Minnesota where I attended North Community High school. I had my very first child at nineteen years old and was a single mother, That’s where my older brother Larry stepped in for me tremendously. Having a little boy I knew nothing lol. My brother watched over him and me at times taught him things as a woman I could never. I remember cooking and sitting down at the dinner table and my brother Larry always got happy he always made sure to tell me what was good and what not to make anymore which I appreciated. Gumbo was his favorite I remember making it and his words were “Now this is amazing” The feeling I gave me a sense of accomplishment especially coming from my brutally honest brother. However in 2019 my brother passed suddenly and took my heart with him. I became very depressed and not understanding my purpose or understanding why the main person in my son’s life would be taken. So for almost 3 months I sat depressed and questioning a lot of things in life. Then one day I looked at my son getting up everyday for school and still pushing through when God took his person he still exhibited strength and that is something my brother was Strong. He hated crying and always wanted you to find a solution for anything going wrong in life and this is where THE GUMBO LADY LLC came into play. What made him happy ? Food! What brought the family together ? Food! What was my thing that made me happy? Cooking! As I attempted getting back into the kitchen I reached out for help and told a few family and friends my idea. My mind was so full of different dishes but the only one that stuck out was GUMBO. The next weekend I decided I would sell Gumbo bowls. I went and got bowls with lids, napkins, spoons etc. The next day shockingly I sold over 67 bowls of Gumbo and haven’t looked back since. I have focused on bringing different unique dishes that you wouldn’t find on the next chefs menu in MN . My dish called #THESOULPAN was featured on The Wendy Williams Show which no other cook in Mn has been able to accomplish. My goal is to stand outside the box. To offer a mouth full of amazing flavors to your taste buds that make you come running bk. My brother Larry was nothing average he kept amazing energy and always a joke waiting. I want that to speak through my food. So far as a small business owner almost three years in I am so proud of myself and I hope I am making him proud. Food brings me a different type of joy and to see it bring smile to others I am truly speechless and never imagined THE GUMBO LADY LLC to have accomplished so many things. Truly thankful.
Shalonda , 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?
I am The gumbo lady. I offer so many different dishes and products. I have made over 25 dishes that I promise you won’t find on the next chefs menu. I truly try to stay outside the box. I wake up with new recipe ideas everyday. Some of my products are Candy Yam hot sauce which is my top seller. I offer a soulfood stuffed Catfish, which is baked mac and greens stuffed into two catfish filets and deep fried. It goes perfect with the candy yam hot sauce. I am most proud of the dish I created called The Soul Pan. This dish was featured on The Wendy Williams show. My goal is to focus on bringing the cajun taste up north. You can’t find cajun dishes in restaurants up north. I also feel up north we are lacking that flavor and cajun taste. So that is my focus as a business owner is to offer unique flavorful dishes served with love and amazing customer service. I currently offer my Sweet Tea in two locations in S.Mpls. Midtown Global Market (The Kitchen) ,N.Mpls So-Low grocery outlet. I am currently working on a restaurant space but currently working from a commercial kitchen. I am located in St.Louis Park,Mn.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Hard work i believe built my reputation, I am truly looked at as a trend setter. Everyday I wake up I breathe The Gumbo Lady. I make sure my business is the spotlight of everyone looking for some amazing food. I truly believe The Wendy Williams show also gave me that piush. A lot of people when they see me always say weren’t you on wendy williams? Its funny I have to correct them by saying not me but my food, lol. I support and promote other businesses and truly want to see all of us win. I keep a good energy and no matter how hard life gets I keep going.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
My most effective strategy for clientele has been Vip list, monthly punch cards. Raffles, appreciation meals, Flash sales etc. The goal is to show your customers they are appreciated so that’s exactly what I do. I stay consistent on my flavoring and nothing is different when eating my meals. I offer different products and dishes that you would only be able to find with me. I feel these have been my most effective when keeping clientele and returning clientele.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: The Gumbo Lady LLC
- Facebook: The Gumbo Lady LLC
- Linkedin: Shalonda Massey