Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food service but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tristin Prince, Owner of T-Mac's Kitchen, LLC., located in Chicago, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
T-Mac’s Kitchen, LLC is the maven of the culinary world and all things related to the hospitality industry. It is through our flavors and services that we provide a soulful culinary experience. Some of our services and products include, but are not limited to, Meal Prep, Catering, Meals-on-Demand, Mobile Personal and Intimate Dining experiences, cooking lessons, nutrition planning, as well as a proprietary seasoning and spice collection. Our seasoning and spice blends are all natural and sourced here in the USA.
We service middle-class consumers who lack cooking skills or do not have the time to cook but would like an on-the-go restaurant experience in the privacy of their own homes. They understand the importance of nutritional health and meal prepping, but they also enjoy the fine dining experience. These consumers live busy lives, are married, and are pulled between caring for their families while trying to maintain a healthier caliber of life. When deciding to patronize T-Mac’s Kitchen, LLC, they look for a high-quality culinary experience, great customer service, and a chef that is well versed in common food allergens and food safety to ensure the best experience.
Tell us about yourself
My love for cooking began to marinate when I was just a child. Throughout my childhood, Granny G, my grandma, allowed me to hover around the kitchen counter while she whipped up all types of food that brought both our immediate family and church family together. By the time I was 12 years old, I had picked up her recipes and began to work my way around the kitchen on my own to create meals that were full of flavor and substance for my friends, teammates, and other folks around my neighborhood.
As much as I enjoyed being in the kitchen, I figured cooking was simply a hobby that I just so happened to be good at, thanks to my grandma. But the truth was that I was a chef at heart, blessed with the same gift my grandma had been blessed with. The same way Granny G was in her element in the kitchen was the same way that I was in mine – living out my dreams without even noticing.
Throughout high school, I opted to take cooking classes as a part of my schedule. I watched my mother raise my brother and I on her own while she built a successful business, and some part of me aspired to have my own successful business as a Chef. Truth be told, even though I watched my mom show us firsthand that it was possible to transform your life and live out your dreams, being raised in the hood of Chicago’s south side didn’t leave me much room to believe that becoming a Chef could really transform my life. It wasn’t until I experienced a wake-up call right after high school that I decided that I had nothing to lose by pursuing my dreams the same way my mother did hers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is bringing my spice and seasoning collection to life. Curating seasonings is therapeutic for me, and it allows the masses to experience a piece of T-Mac's Kitchen at their leisure and at an affordable price, lol!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a one-man operation, I find it difficult to manage my time efficiently, but I've learned to work well under pressure. I am in the process of building a solid, dependable team that will allow operations to run a tad bit smoother.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient.
- Be coachable.
- Never stop learning and honing your craft.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
T-Mac’s Kitchen has not only shown me the power of believing in myself, but it has given me the opportunity to cook food from my heart that touches your soul and brings you closer to your loved ones. T-Mac’s Kitchen is a premium experience rooted in love, flavor, and soul, and I can’t wait to share that experience with you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.cheftmacskitchen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmacskitchen/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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