We recently connected with Teria Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Teria, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Growing up my Sundays was always the focal point of family, food & fun. It was something about getting all of our family together after church, under one roof and eating food. To be honest, no matter what went on within the family once we came together to eat it was like everything was okay. There was always laughter at the dinner table. We sat together as a family, said grace, ate, and was very merry. My grandmother was the component that made it possible. She was always baking and cooking. Growing up we received three (3) hot meals a day. I remember our school days always started out with hot grits or oatmeal followed by eggs, sausage and/or bacon. We never left the house without a hot meal. And, when we came home we were welcome to the house smelling with whatever my grandmother prepared for dinner. But she found time in between to make us a hot lunch to tie us over until dinner. And, let’s not forget that by time we got out of school she had already prepared a hot lunch for my grandfather.
But there were many wonderful memories packed at the dinner table. As the years passed and with the passing of my sister, our family scattered. But, I am watching God restore with every Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Dinner and special occasion that takes place. Food is the one thing that draws the family back together. It is essential for families to resume eating at the dinner table again. Conversations are had, laughter and healing takes place and memories are created.
It’s because of my Grandmother, Clara Jones why this legacy will continue.
Teria, 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?
My name is Teria M. Johnson. I am a native Charlestonian and for the past 26 years Houston, Texas has been home. I come from a family rich with bakers and cooks. We love to cook and bake which is a direct reflection of our Gullah Geechee heritage. We are a big rice eater and love rich food that is a representation of our culture. And we love dishes such as Red Rice & Hoppin John. My grandmother, Clara Jones was my biggest inspiration as it relates to cooking, family and caring for those less fortunate. My grandmother was always feeding people in the community and at church. Once she feed about 10 of my sister’s friends who were attending a local military college, The Citadel, every Sunday for almost a year. The memories from that experience are priceless and the gatherings that took place are memorable. Just think, she made her home a place for them to gather and she prepared hot meals for a group of young men who were so far away from home. If that is not showing the love of God, I don’t know what is.
I have developed some of the same similar traits. I love to feed my family and others and for the past 26 years I lived in Houston, I have done just that. In addition, I have taken in 15 individuals/families who were homeless or experiencing hard times in my home. Half of those times, I needed help myself, but the mere fact that someone was in a worse condition broke my heart and I felt compelled to help.
I am most proud of the fact that at almost 60 years of age, I have launched a food empire. Not have I launched it, but I won the LiftOff Houston Pitch Competition in the Service Category for $10K. Talk about an accomplishment. Someone with Legal Assistant and Property Management experience breaks through another career. The main thing I want potential clients to know about me and my brand is that we care about people. We care about family. And we love to prepare and serve food. We truly want to be the light God talks about. We want to exemplify love through our food everywhere we go. Both of my maternal grandparents were people known and loved within the community. Their heart for people and family was greater than life itself. I am extension, just a country girl with a heart full of love for God’s people. Honestly, I hate seeing people hungry and/or homeless. As a single mom, I experienced both.
I remembered one thing about my grandmother, once you entered the front door of our home, she would always ask, are you hungry? She would say… I just made a fresh pot of… (whatever she was cooking). LOL Sometimes our friends could not get in the front door good enough before she wanted to feed them.
At Charleston Kitchen, we want that same type of love for people to exuberate through us. Charleston Kitchen wants family to purchase our pies, go home and just enjoy the rich flavors and enjoy each other. When we open the doors of our restaurant, we can see families gathering in love and fellowshipping having a joyous time eating all our favorite Charleston dishes.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think for me the resilience has been to push through the obstacles. Many people don’t know this, but I care for my mother who is a kidney transplant survivor. So, there are days where I must balance her needs, doctor’s appointment and the business and keep moving. Not in my own strength, but in God’s strength. A prime example was LiftOff Houston. Liftoff Houston’s program was very demanding, but I wanted to complete it, I wanted to finish that course, so it meant some nights I had to stay up late. It also meant some nights; I could not go to sleep because I could not turn my mind off. I would get up and write some more or edit my business plan just a little more. When you have a vision, no one can see it except you. It’s your vision and no one knows what burns in your belly. Then, if you have a creative side, it is amplified because you see potential. You see where it could be, not where it is today. As a visionary, I see way beyond those I interact with. Sometimes, I remain quiet because what I see is so great, some will become afraid.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
My initial funding for my business came through my personal funds, my son, my mom and my daugther-in-law. I have never had three people believe in me so much. For years, they wanted me to open my business. Way before my son ever married my daughter-in-law. He would always say momma you could cook for large groups of people with your eyes close. But my son is my biggest inspiration and supporter. I thought it was because he was my son that he liked my food so. I honestly thought it was because I cooked his favorite meals. But he just saw great possibilities. My son really wants me to open a restaurant. My family have supported me in ways I don’t know if I will ever be able to repay them. But it has been the encouragement and financial support that has fueled this project. They have introduced me to their friends, and it is unbelievable the love and support I get from my family.
Growing up my mom used to always tell me, “you don’t have the big head for nothing” lol…meaning that I was smart and whatever I put my mind to I could achieve it. As I look back over my life, I have overcome some great obstacles, but my family has always been my biggest supporters in every life project I launched. This, I think is the absolute biggest project ever!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Charleston-
Kitchen.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/charleston_ kitchen/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/profile.php?id= 61550125676013 - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/charleston- kitchen-1b3739281/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
ChasKitch - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/UC-lvt7aHZMDc4wj2_ nJ4k9Q - Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
biz/charleston-kitchen-houston - Other: TikTok: https://www.
tiktok.com/@charlestonkitchen
Image Credits
@Foundationfirst