Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Ky.
Hi Chef Ky, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am Chef Ky owner of Just Good Flavor Company and mother of 4. I wish I could say that this journey was smooth sailing and has placed me here on a fluffy down mattress, but that would not be true. Sometimes we make decisions that we think are the best until hindsight is in focus. Just Good Flavor Company was founded in Alabama in 2017. Business grew from one little 8-foot table at a farmers’ market, to 4 weekly markets. As my business grew, I began to do tradeshows and vendor events. I was amazed that my spices business were resonating with so many people. Then the shut down of 2020 rushed in an tried to steal everything I had built. All of my markets and shows were person to person, how was I to make money with no access to customers? I didn’t have any experience in Web building but I learned fast. After weeks of trial and lots of errors, my Website was complete. Still not sure how to get customers since all of my customers were face to face. This part of the story always make me cry happy tears. While I was depressed and spiraling down stressing about the potential close of my business, people who I thought would be supportive were not. “Don’t worry, you will find another hobby” and “You are good at a lot of things, you will find something else to do” is what I was told. I owe the rest of my success to my then 8 year old son. While others were telling me to move on, he kept pushing me to not give up. I will never forget the day he told me to send my products to lady we listened to on the XM Radio. I told him that the odds of her seeing any of my posts are slim to none. He never stopped pushing me to be brave enough to reach out to her. “Mom, what do you have to lose” his voice came through from the back seat of the truck. “Ok son, Today” I promised. I went to the talk show hosts IG and commented on one of her posts “How can I get my spices in your kitchen”. A day later she in boxed me her P.O Box and said “Send it!”. About two weeks later, I was a sleep and my phone began to ding. That one ding became constant. I looked at my phone and the dings were orders to my website. My website shut down. I had 10-15k people on my website that first night. I was tagged on IG by the talk show host. She had posted a video of her cooking with my spices. That video sent me viral over night. I went from depressed and about closing to thousands and thousands of orders. My business grew to a store front, my products in other stores and restaurants. And yes, my farmers markets came back!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the beginning of any business journey, we are all in need of so much information and resources. Unfortunately, not all business owners who have made it are open and willing to share information with new commers. I found this to be true for me as well. I was turned away every time I needed to know what steps to take “You will figure it out”. Yes, I figured it out eventually, but did it have to be as hard-No. I never turn away people who are in need of information. While they will figure it out, if three burger places can survive on the same street, helping someone won’t take away from your growth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Just Good Flavor Company is branching into the Non-Profit sector. Chef’s K.I.S.S (Kitchen Independence Support Services) blossomed from the need to help people maintain their independence. A lot of times a little help goes a long way. We help the elderly and disables by prepping groceries and meal prepping. Fine motor skills for some people is the difference between making a healthy cost-effective meal at home and grabbing fast food. We also aim to reach young adults aging out of the foster care system, by teaching much needed skills like meal planning, grocery shopping and basic cooking. So far, we have partnered with Filbert Street Garden to provide much needed meals for the community pantry and cooking classes. Our Soup class has turned into a night of fun and friendship. We have been able to feed over 400 people since January. My goal is to turn my soups into a donation carry-out where everyone can eat regardless of their inability to pay. My spice brand and my food brand share the same mission ‘Feed with love’. We are also working with Non-Profit organizations to teach after school and summer cooking classes. Learning how to be independent in the kitchen early will boost their confidence in all they do.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I believe the most valuable advice is: Never put all of your eggs in one basket. Having faith in your brand is a must but building pivot points along the way is vital. Know your brand so well that no matter what happens, you can shift and create something new from what you have done already. After I spent years growing and understanding my business, I had to make a tough decision to close everything for family and move across country- again. I trusted that my sacrifice would be enough to secure their support in making sure my business would get back up and running. But that was not the case. I wasted so much time grieving the possible loses of my business that I almost gave up. Then I remembered all of the pivots I had built along the way and began to dust myself off and move on. I am not saying that you won’t continue to feel down once and a while, feeling is ok. Keep going and tie those ribbons around the trees, so if you ever get knocked off your path, you can always find your way back on track.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justgoodflavorcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justgoodflavorcompany
