Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zoraa Gbeintor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Zoraa, thank you for being open to sharing your insights with us. Before we begin, can you take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, My first name is Zoraa, last name Gbeintor, and again for those reading, the G is still silent (chuckles). I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, and I am the head chef and founder of The Benniies Experience (previously named Benniies Catering). I provide private dining experiences and event catering to clients throughout the DMV.
My love of catering stemmed from my love of food period and the feeling it brings to the people who eat it. I love everything related to food from the way it’s prepared to the the way it’s plated and served. I believe that nothing brings people together like food and music, and I love bringing people together through my cooking.
I took my first shot at stepping into the food industry after falling in love with the idea of making 5 star meals at home. I’m a big foodie, so trying new restaurants has always been my primary love language……But going out to eat all the time wasn’t financially feasible … so I had to slow my roll and remember every black mama’s favorite line: “We got food in the house” (laughs)…. Cause see I’ve always known how to cook, so that wasn’t anything new, but one summer day (2017), I just started trying to mimic the plates you see at fancy restaurants and my obsession began there…
So now I was eating restaurant quality food I made myself, and fast forward three years later, so are my clients and supporters.
Can you open up about how you started and funded your business?
I launched my business during the middle of the pandemic so becoming a personal chef was a way for people to turn a “night out” into a “night in” from the comfort of their own home. Sure, you could always order out, but private dining with me is an experience…from the moment you send your first inquiry, all the way to the last course of your meal. I want my supporters and potential clients to know that top tier professionalism will always meet quality meals when dining with The Benniies Experience. That is, and always will be my main focus when it comes to my brand.
And like most small businesses, mine is self-funded. The initial capital is taken out of my own pocket. I don’t have any mentors or investors or anything (yet) so everything is currently at my own expense.
My business funds itself, meaning I take the profits and pour it back into the business, but I do frequently apply for black and women owned business grants in hopes I’m selected one day.
But for now, the capital is all me.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Oh most definitely! Well firstly, Youtube, Pinterest, and Google were (and still are) my best friends in this game! I’m self taught, so anything I ever needed to know, I found on those platforms. And now with the help of social media, I can also find inspo for almost anything on TikTok and Instagram.
But I’m old school too, and I definitely read. I give lots of credit to Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret for sure. It’s one of my favorite books ever and it’s not about entrepreneurship per say, but it is the most insightful book about manifesting the life you want (because it’s already yours) that I’ve ever read.. And that’s honestly the first step: believing in yourself.
Additionally, books like Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and even Rick Ross’ The Perfect Day to Boss Up have shaped the way I think about money, making money, and the power of money. Contrary to what we are led to believe, there really is a million and one ways to make money. You just have to think outside the box, neverrr get discouraged by someone else doing it first, understand that you have to spend money to make money, and never be afraid to ask for help or accept it when it’s offered.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @b.enniies
Image Credits
Zoraa Gbeintor
Madeline McLinden