Shalonda Massey shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shalonda , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
That a stranger can believe in your dream and give more support than someone you’ve known a lifetime. Love on your customers. They are helping you carry your dream just think a stranger saw your vision and decided to support it. That’ alone speaks volumes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Shalonda Known in Minnesota as THE GUMBO LADY. I stepped out on faith and decided to start a cooking business in hopes of being worldwide. I have prided myself on creating a menu that you cannot find on the next chefs menu. I create dishes that will make your tastebuds have a dance party in your mouth. My focus is to “bring the southern taste up north” so many restaurants have limited options for southern cooking so this is where I have created my own lane. I have created items like stuffed catfish. The popular “soulpan” that went viral and a-lot of cooks in Mn have ran with it. I also offer a delicious southern style sweet tea and a sweet and spicy candy yam hot sauce.
I have prided myself in staying honest and humble when it comes to my business. I started in May 2020 and currently I am still working on food truck and/or restaurant location. I originally started my business to honor the passing of my late brother Larry who was my bestfriend, and I vow to still honor him always . Recently I also lost the matriarch of our family my mother in 2023. My heart hurts tremendously everyday since then I have been trying to rebuild and get back focused because I have to show her I got this. That her job is done. So my focus is to continue to always honor my brother as well as my mother in the process of building my business. Always provide not just amazingly tasty foods but to also provide great customer service and honor the customers who believe in a dream that I started in my small apartment Kitchen.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Losing my mother. In the passing of my mother the very day I lost her I was set to air on tv for my first tv interview. She never got to see it I got the call she passed four hours before it aired. That broke me. I worked so hard to show her she did an amazing job I wanted to honor her and in that moment I realized that would never happen. So that moment has shaped me to be able to deal with Whatever comes my way. To stay focused and always pray. God is my go to for everything. Losing my brother then my mother also showed me that in a flash things can change . TO ALWAYS LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND CHASE YOUR DREAMS. Tomorrow is not promised.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My defining wounds were losing my brother then my mother then my biological mother within a 4 year time span. I lost my main support in a blink of an eye.
These wounds have also gave me power to keep going. I now have people watching and rooting for me. Everything I do they see. I have to make them proud . No matter what I get up everyday and pray I talk to them I ask for guidance and to keep me grounded. Those wounds hurt and still do but also gave me power to keep going!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely not! There are times I wake up eyes filled with tears not knowing if the day will be good or bad. But I get up everyday and make the best out of it. The world will never truly know what I’m dealing with if it’s negative. If I CNT bring joy I dnt mention it. I tend to pray my way through things and stay private. I like to bring laughter and good times. CNT forget good food. Lol
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
My most peace comes from cooking. I don’t care what is going on in my life if I can cook my way through it everything will be ok. I truly love cooking . If I could cook and feed others for free I truly would. It gives me a peace that I CNT explain. I’m allowed to let my creative juices flow and just be in my zone. COOKING WILL ALWAYS BE MY PEACE.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Thegumboladyllc
- Facebook: The Gumbo Lady LLC /Shalonda Massey
