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Hello everyone!! Sooooo speaking of cupcakes, if you saw last weeks post, this week I will be highlighting a very great friend of mine! I'm so excited to close out Women's History Month by sharing a blog post about this phenomenal woman, Lynette Thompson. I absolutely love Lynette and her whole entire family! Ryan, her new born son, is next to meet! I will be there in September Ryan so get ready lol. Just some brief history, I literally meet Lynette on my birthday and *side note* hers was just a few days before mine too! #TeamVirgo Anyway I was walking to my apartment in New York City on 3rd Ave and what caught my attention was her beautiful hair. On top of that she was in the middle of a shoot! I had to give her a "yasssss" as I was passing through lol... I kept walking but said hold on I HAVE to know who did her hair because I was looking to get my hair done as well. I'm so glad I turned back around. We've been inseparable ever since! Not to mention her and her husband attended my wedding as my photographers! (Yes her husband is a photographer and they have a photography business lol). Lynette seriously blows my mind with everything she does and she does it so well! She is a wife, a mother of two and Ryan as mentioned above is a new born, a recent grad with an MA in health education and promotion, a travel connoisseur, does hair, gets her fashion fix from casual online shopping, an advocate for women's breastfeeding rights and has recently launched her business, ChefBoyarNetty. The name is cute right!? Well I have had the pleasure of tasting her mouth watering food... Combinations that I would never think about trying in my life, Lynette makes it happen where you come back asking for more.
"Quad Berry Cupcakes"
"Mini Chicken & Waffles"
I had the opportunity to ask Lynette a few questions about life and about her business! Check them out below...
How do you create your unique dishes?
When it comes to creating new dishes, I just try to think of flavors that compliment each other even if they don't sound good on paper. For example, I love curry goat and eggs. When I thought of it, all my Caribbean friends threatened to disown me but I got one to try it and he admitted it was delicious!
Also, I like to reimagine classic dishes. My Soulfood Sunday cupcake is really just a new way to consume things we already love. Cornbread, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken is a combo many of us have had but it's a whole new game when it's in a cupcake lol!
"Soulfood Sunday Cupcake"
How do you balance it all!? Wife, mom, social advocate, business?
The balance is very hard but when it comes down to it, I lean heavily on my husband. Not only does he support me financially allowing me the freedoms to explore my passions but he supports me emotionally as well. He's been telling me to start my own catering service for a decade now! He believes I'm the smartest, most talented woman on the planet. Who am I to tell him otherwise?!
He comes home from working all day and tends to our boys so that I can decompress and work in peace. Even with that tremendous support, I can't do everything in one day so I find great value in prioritizing my time. If I manage my time well, I can meet all extended deadlines and internal expectations.
Do you have any tips for anyone starting a business?
Hmmm I guess my best tips are to,
1. Research your market/field. See what those who came before you have done so that you can learn from their mistakes.
2. Keep good track of your finances, don't bite off more than you can chew.
3. Find what sets you apart from the rest, and exploit that without looking like you're trying too hard or you'll come off as insincere. No one likes that.
4. Keep customer service a priority. You'll make mistakes but if you have great customer service you'll get the return business despite the blunder because you've built some trust with your customers.
5. CHARGE WHAT YOU'RE WORTH.
"Shrimp & Grits with Lobster & Bacon"
"Running a catering service can be daunting because the market is full of cooks and bakers claiming to be able to make amazing food. Everyone says they are the best. I do not, but I set out to prove that I am damn fantastic with every order! Every time a package leaves with that ChefBoyarNetty logo on it, I know that I've given it my all and that my customers are going to enjoy something better than what many others are providing.
The very reason I started my business is that my friends and family pretty much demanded that I share my goodies with the world and so ChefBoyarNetty Sweet n Savory was born. I work hard every day at creating memorable dishes and baked goods that will impress. I hope that I will be able to achieve longevity and success for my business by remembering to adjust with the times, charge what I'm worth, and by staying true to myself no matter what comes my way."
All very well said Lynette! Well thank you queens for stopping by and showing Lynette some love! Be sure to check her out and follow her business! Place an order or simply as questions at asknetty.com.
Well until next time! I'll see ya next month! OMG it's going to be April... During the month of April I will be hosting a Spring Cleaning campaign towards mental health and this will also include a giveaway!
See ya then!
-K
