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

Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

Being a mobile catering business owner I attend/ vend at a lot of events. At this particular event I had pretty much taken up residency, so I’d gained a following. The customers (my family is what I call you after one visit) would come every weekend and would specifically look for my brand. On this day I had a customer come and it was her first time. She placed her order and mentioned that she would not share with her adult children. Well, after ordering and walking away she returned and said my children at it all! We both laughed and she said I’ll be sure to get three this time. After a long conversation she said I’ll see you next week right? I replied, YES! She said I’m going to bring you some supplies because like you…a lot! Well by God’s grace we both were able to see each other the following weekend, and sure enough she bought me lots of supplies to work with. I meet people everyday and talk to everyone just being myself and sharing my bean cuisine with them. But when you meet people that just want to bless and help you along your journey, you have to thank God for all of his blessings. This woman saw something in me and “just” wanted to bless me. And here today she comes by every weekend to catch up and get her dose of Georgia’s BEST Baked Beans.

Stephanie, 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?

Georgia’s BEST Baked Beans Catering Co. specializes in bean cuisines, providing specialty peach desserts and handcrafted lemonades. This business started from me (StephanieLynn) having to pivot. I was in the hair industry for 17yrs. and had to retire due to sudden health issues. Afterwards it was what do I do now? Well I was asked by a mentor what do you do that you love doing, but people would pay for? At the time I had just had an encounter with a friend of my grandfathers at his 80th birthday party, where she said “those baked beans are so good I would pay for them”. And the rest is history literally.

GBBB specializes in all things beans including but not limited to baked beans, chilis, dips, salads, and soups. There’s also our specialty dessert line which includes our peach only selections. GBBB is everything beans and peaches playing off the state’s fruit. We are Georgia born and raised. Then we have our delicious handcrafted lemonades made from my grandma’s original recipe.

GBBB makes it a priority to make meals easy while allowing you to get a bit of protein from each bean cuisine. We do this by giving you everything you need in “one dish”! From the beans, meat, to the vegetables you’ll get not only a hearty but filling meal all in one.

At GBBB I am proud to say in this day where lots of parents have a hard time preparing dinner meals for the family or sourcing a great caterer for an event, we have been able to provide cuisines to feed not only the adults but the kids enjoy GBBB just as much. The GBBB brand is one the entire family can get into. It is my goal to bring people together over food, just as my family has done for decades. I strive to bring hearty and delicious bean cuisines to tables all over.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Georgia’s BEST Baked Beans Catering Co. was created in 2011, well in 2012 I had my very first major surgery ( hip replacement) so naturally GBBB had to close its doors. Well in 2013 I had my second major surgery (another hip replacement). These two life changing moments put off GBBB’s return indefinitely. In 2017 GBBB returned and went full force immersed in regaining the old customers as well as going harder for new ones. With things going extremely well life would need to be altered again. Upon opening in 2017, I juggled being a full time caregiver to my 86yr old granddad things came to a screeching halt again just two years later in 2019. Along with the rest of the world being put on pause my granddad’s health declined. In 2020 he died and I decided I needed a pause. I needed to rest my body, mind and soul. I needed to take care of myself before I opened up GBBB again. I decided to care for every part of me. And it was in 2021 that I returned, and was extremely excited to know the family of GBBB was just as excited to have us back. Just as I began to get my footing after a great spring and summer it was early fall a bad accident took me back out of commission and again just like that GBBB had to take a pause yet again. Oh but early in 2022 we were back, and have been rolling ever since. New menu items, new family members (customers) and new opportunities, because God is faithful to his word. So to talk about resilience strikes a chord in me because I am well aware that many of the things I’ve gone through someone else very well may have thrown in the towel while trying to run a business. When God gives you a dream you don’t give up or give in, as he is not a God that would ever leave you.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

While being everything to many and trying to do everything in your business all at the same time you tend to fall short at many of those very things. While running GBBB and trying to do other things for other people I have had to unlearn that while I can do a lot of things I only hurt myself in the long run. In spite of being able to accomplish a variety of things those things could be better off being done if you learn the art of delegation. Starting a business and growing that business successfully there is no way it’s possible while maintaining your health. There have been countless days and nights literally that I have foregone sleep, family activities or just simply missing an event or order because I was trying to do it all! There was no way I could achieve the growth I desired or even physically go on this way. I have had to learn that when people ask to help let them. Simply give them the instructions and allow them to assist you. Outsource all those things that better help you serve your business and hinder you from being your best self. Help / assistance is not a bad thing but one of the things you need to thrive in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.georgiasbestbakedbean.com
• Instagram: Gergiasbestbakedbeans
• Facebook: Georgia’s BEST Baked Beans
• Yelp: Georgia’s BEST Baked Beans
• Other: Google : Georgia’s BEST Baked Beans

Image Credits
Lee Photography LLC