The Importance of a Support Network, and the Secret Behind her Classic Southern Chow Chow – Wanda’s Cooking Shares Tricks for Small Business Success

Wanda Blake first learned to cook in her mother’s kitchen, and in the kitchens of her grandma, aunties and friends.

 

Wanda’s Cooking started in 2015 as a Pop-up Restaurant to share her passion for food culture. Recently, her Hot Pepper Chow Chow was featured in Bon Appetit. We asked Wanda to share a few tricks for small business success.

WHAT LED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS? 

Honestly, I got tried of training people who got paid more than me. I also felt I had the temperament and training to be my own boss – experience in Accounting, Operations, Human Resources and Supervising. Add to all of that my training as a Chef!


WHAT DOES BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER MEAN TO YOU?

It's really personal – I have a responsibility to my customers, product and staff. I’m fully engaged in my business I have more responsibility to myself, as well.


WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS UNIQUE?

My featured product, Pepper Chowchow, a classic Southern condiment, has a history of enhancing the flavor of food. I took that history and expanded on the texture, versatility and visual appeal.


WHAT'S A SMALL BUSINESS TRICK YOU'VE DISCOVERED THAT HELPS YOU BE SUCCESSFUL?

First, know your capacity and have a support network, because your business can grow in a large leap. What can you handle and who can you call? When my business made that leap, there’s no way I could’ve survived if I hadn’t sent out an SOS and didn’t have the look of 911 on my face! LOL, seriously. Bottom line: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

LEARN MORE AT WANDA'SCOOKING.COM

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