We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yolanda Easton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yolanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken came when I stepped into something completely new, unsure of how—or even if—it would work out.

My husband, a retired Air Force veteran with 32 years of service, and I had always been a team when it came to serving our community. So when he retired, I truly thought that chapter of our lives was over. We were ready for this next season—retirement. We had moved into our forever home, became empty nesters, found a church we loved, and even began traveling. Everything seemed perfect on paper.

But something felt… off. I kept asking myself, Why don’t I feel like I’m living my best life?

That’s when I realized what was missing: purpose. For so long, serving others had been a foundational part of who I was. I thought I wanted a break from it—but once it was gone, I felt like a piece of me had disappeared, too.

So, my husband and I reached out to a friend and colleague in the coaching and teaching space. We figured it couldn’t hurt to ask if there was any way we could support his mission to empower the military community. His response? A resounding YES!

We were thrilled—but also a little unsure. What exactly does that “yes” mean? I started to doubt myself. Am I really meant to lead? Can I do this? Do I even want to do this?

Still, I took the leap. Even with uncertainty, I started the work. And six months in, while attending a company event, I got my answer to the question I had been asking: Is this where I’m meant to be?
The answer was a clear and undeniable YES.

Fast forward two years later: I’m now coaching with various companies, I’ve founded a 501(c)(3) to support military spouse development, and I recently partnered with a major military organization to co-host the inaugural Military Spouse Summit in 2026. And that’s just the beginning.

I’m beyond excited about how far this journey has come—and it all started because we were willing to take a risk and say yes to something new.

So if there’s even the faintest tug on your heart toward something unfamiliar… take the leap. You never know what’s waiting for you on the other side.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Yolanda Easton—an Air Force veteran of 10 years, a retired military spouse, chef, travel lover, self-proclaimed photographer, and leadership coach. I’m also the proud owner of Foodstalgia, where I bring immersive cooking class experiences to life—both in-person and virtually.

Have you ever traveled to a breathtaking destination and tasted food so unforgettable that you wished you could bring it home with you? You get back, search for a place that claims to be authentic, only to be disappointed. I know that feeling all too well.

After one too many underwhelming attempts to recreate those incredible dishes, I took matters into my own hands—and stove. I started recreating meals from my travels, and soon realized I wasn’t alone. So many others were craving the same thing: a way to relive those amazing food memories from around the world.

That’s how Foodstalgia was born.

Through personal experience, I know that a single bite can transport you—to your grandma’s kitchen eating fried apple pies, a beachside shack serving jerk chicken, or the first time you tasted seabass on a cruise. Food carries memory. It’s nostalgic by nature.

My goal is to help you recreate those unforgettable moments right in your own home.

To do that, I travel the world—40+ countries and counting—cooking alongside local chefs, learning firsthand how dishes are meant to be made. I then bring those flavors and stories back with me, using them to inspire the recipes I share in my classes.

Because I don’t just create dishes. I recreate experiences. Making memories with every bite.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My original business name was The Traveling Foodista—a name I absolutely loved and felt truly captured the spirit of my cooking classes. I did my due diligence and found that it wasn’t trademarked, so I began building my brand around it. Two years in, I decided to make things official and apply for a trademark.

That’s when I hit a roadblock. Even though the name itself wasn’t trademarked, there was another company with a similar name. The trademark office deemed mine “too similar,” and my application was denied. I was devastated.

It made me question everything—should I keep going? And if so, what would moving forward even look like? After some reflection, I chose to pivot. I hired an attorney, rebranded, and started the trademarking process again from scratch. This time, I moved quickly and strategically. After a year, I officially received my trademark and relaunched my brand under its new name: Foodstalgia.

And I have to say—I’m even more in love with this name than the first one.

Sometimes, hitting an obstacle can feel like the end of the road. It can make you second-guess your path and your passion. But I’m here to tell you: a pivot can be the beginning of something amazing.
The Traveling Foodista will always be part of my journey—but Foodstalgia is my future, and it’s looking brighter than ever.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’d have to say that the best source of new clients for me is word of mouth from my current clients. When someone attends one of my classes and tastes the final dish, they’re usually so proud of what they created that they’ll snap a photo and share it on social media. I actually encourage this — and will often repost their pictures, too! It’s a fun and organic way to showcase what we’re cooking up together.

In addition to that, I host a LIVE First Friday Cooking Class every month on my Facebook page. It’s completely free and offers a great “try-before-you-buy” opportunity for potential clients to get a taste (literally and figuratively) of my classes. I interact live with everyone who joins and make sure to respond to those who catch the replay as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://foodstalgia.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodstalgia.co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodstalgia.co
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolandaeaston/

Image Credits

Professional photos by Angela Tilsher