We recently connected with Symone Barnes and have shared our conversation below.

Symone , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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?

The kindest thing that anyone has ever done for me is my Mother, Aunt Kim, and Nana Frances invested in my business with essential items I needed to be vendor or cater. One year they attended a pop up shop I was at and asked me what would’ve help me have a smoother day.
I told them some simple but key things, that would just make my vending experience so much easier. With in the next month I had a delivery of what I like to call my own personal start up catering kit. I still have it to this day and even though I don’t cater as much anymore, it helps with my initiative to feed the homeless!

Symone , 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?

Hello World 🌻 My name is Symone Lashana.
I am a chef, model, and aspiring philanthropist.

I have been modeling since I was 16years old. Never official signed by any management. But I’ve remained in front of the camera over the years and I love every minute of it. My goal is not to allow my age to become an excuse as to why I was never signed. I’ve been shooting now more than ever. So I believe I’m not far from where I want to be. I’ve always wanted to show taller, darker, thicker black girls that it is more than okay to live in your skin and be PROUD of who you are!

I have been cooking since I was 15 years old. Started in my Mama’s ( grandmother) kitchen and at the age of 21 I ventured to Charlotte, NC where I attended and graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 2014 with my Culinary Arts Degree.
Since graduating I have had the pleasure of being able to travel the world and cook. Now working in corporate america, I still promote my business Meraki Foodz where as a private chef I specialize in intimate dining experiences.

Inspired philanthropy is where my heart is. Fed by Grace was born in 2022. As a way to give back my way. Many don’t know this but when I first graduated High School I went to Indiana University of Pa and Cheyney University to study Social Work. I have always had a heart of service.. Fast forward to 2022 I started an initiative where I would pick up, sort and drop off clothes that friends didn’t want or feel like doing anything with to shelters or creating bag and passing them out when I saw someone in need. Any intimate dining booking I was hired for, all proceeds would go towards feeding someone in need.
This is only the beginning for
Meraki Foodz, Fed by Grace, and Symone Lashana.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been social media. I thought creating a website would do it but no. All I needed was my Instagram, Tik Tok, and Linktree account. It seems people want to be just a click away.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My business was born in the heart of Covid-19. I lost a Sous Chef opportunity in Yosemite, CA. At the beginning of the epidemic. Went home broken and not sure if I had picked the right career path. Because restaurant’s were not essential. I decided to rent a car with Lyft and became a driver for Lyft, Uber, and Instacart because bills weren’t stopping even though work was slowing down more and more by the day. Instead of getting down, I used this opportunity to brand myself like never before, becoming the best shopper, on delivery I was often asked what I did for a living, opening the door for me to give my business card and let the customer know that I offer meal drop offs.
Lyft and Uber passengers became clients. One in fact was my first paid traveling private chef booking. As well as my first corporate lunch catering booking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/thaafreespirit

Image Credits
https://instagram.com/shotsbyskylaflame__?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/eyesofh_photography?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==