We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Ruiz recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tiffany , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Great! Here’s a story that encapsulates all the elements you’ve shared:
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**The Heart and Soul Behind Raleigh Tamales: A Journey of Resilience and Purpose**
In the bustling streets of Raleigh, North Carolina, there’s a small but mighty force making waves in the food scene – Raleigh Tamales. Behind this endeavor is a single mother with a mission as bold as her flavors.
Meet Tiffany a former corrections officer at Central Prison. For years, she dedicated herself to a demanding job that often kept her away from her daughter and the simple joys of everyday life. Working long, exhausting hours on the graveyard shift, she found herself yearning for something more – a way to be present for her child while pursuing her passion for food.
Tiffany decided to take a leap of faith. Drawing from her years in the food industry, she founded Raleigh Tamales with a clear vision: to create cleaner, fresher food without the fillers, preservatives, and additives that saturate grocery store shelves and restaurant menus. But her mission didn’t stop there.
Driven by her own experiences, Tiffany made it a priority to support other single parents. She employs single parents at Raleigh Tamales, offering them not just a job but a chance to regain control over their schedules and lives, breaking free from the relentless demands of the working system.
The journey hasn’t been easy. Tiffany recalls the days of working overtime, sometimes clocking in 16-hour shifts, and missing precious moments with her daughter. But with Raleigh Tamales, she’s found a way to rewrite that story – to be there for her child and for herself.
Today, Raleigh Tamales isn’t just a place for great food, Authentic Tamales and Mexican food that connects her to her roots and culture , it’s a beacon of hope and support for single parents, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that no dream is too big to pursue.
Tiffany’s motto, “I see you, I hear you, you are valued,” isn’t just words on a wall; it’s the foundation of a culture she’s built – one that values every individual, customer, and employee alike.
As you bite into a tamale from Raleigh Tamales, remember that it’s more than just a meal; it’s a story of courage, perseverance, and the power of following your heart.
Tiffany , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Absolutely! Here’s a revised story that includes your additional background and passion for food:
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**The Heart and Soul Behind Raleigh Tamales: A Journey of Resilience, Passion, and Culinary Excellence**
In the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, there’s a culinary gem with a story as rich as its flavors – Raleigh Tamales. At its helm is [Your Name], a culinary virtuoso with a deep-rooted love for food and an unwavering commitment to quality.
With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, from New York City , Hollywood meal prepping for some of the stars
she also has Bachelor’s degree in Food Management, and a prestigious Le Cordon Bleu de Paris graduate, Tiffany is no stranger to the art of gastronomy. But her journey is more than just a professional pursuit; it’s a testament to her heritage, passion, and unwavering dedication to her craft.
From a young age, Tiffany was captivated by the culinary world. Watching her father cook cultural dishes filled her with awe and admiration. She saw how each dish told a story, connected her to her roots, and expressed love and passion in every bite. This early influence ignited a fire within her – a desire to create dishes that not only tasted extraordinary but also honored tradition and heritage.
This passion led Tiffany to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Law alongside her culinary education. Despite her success in the legal field, her heart remained in the kitchen. She knew that her true calling lay in the art of food – in creating dishes that spoke to the soul and celebrated the essence of culture.
With Raleigh Tamales, Tiffany is fulfilling her culinary dreams. Her mission is clear: to offer cleaner, fresher food that eschews artificial additives and preserves the integrity of each ingredient. Whether through catering, lunch/brunch boxes, or wholesale options, Raleigh Tamales is more than just a culinary venture; it’s a tribute to authenticity, quality, and the vibrant tapestry of flavors that make up the culinary world.
As you savor a tamale from Raleigh Tamales, remember that it’s more than just a meal; it’s a testament to the unwavering passion and dedication of one woman who dared to follow her heart and share her love for food with the world.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Save save and save , Savings and more savings. When I started Raleigh Tamales , it was self funded with no loans and no debt. Started small , baby steps , once’s we could afford more we bought more and we did more . Every step needed to be funded on its own without the need of loans .
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
We made a move in November 2022, I thought would benefit us and help us grow and sounded good. We took our buisness from Raleigh to Wakeforest , To a ghost kitchen , As they called it Virtual Food all , Lots of money was pumped into it from Raleigh Tamales to only have it not work out , not via our choice but you can’t control the other side of the buisness when you are just a tenant. I decided to pull out and just keep the space as our production/ manufacturing kitchen, so we could stay in buisness , Sometimes as a buisness owner you have to make decisions so that your small buisness you worked so hard to build doesn’t crumble and shut down entirely . I thought 2023 was the year for us to shut down, we where able to pivot and slowly are building our selfs back up
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.raleightamales.com
- Instagram: Raleigh_tamales_
- Facebook: Tastymasa
Image Credits
Pictures taken by Natasha , Gentile Small Business Owner of Femme formage & Co from Wakeforest & Food stylist . “ she has the best Charcuterie Board “