EverydayClout with: Gigi's kitchen

GiGi's Kitchen 125, Rolling acres

Q.) How did the idea for your business come about?

Two passions of mine have always been cooking and caregiving. I thought why not combine the two. Good food can put a smile on anyone’s face.

Q.) What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?

My key driving force for becoming an entrepreneur was me wanting to show my kids something different and to create generational wealth for the very ones who call me GiGi my grandchildren

Q.) How did you come up with the name for your company?

I sort of answered this question in the previous question. My grand babies call me GiGi. I have a total of 6. GiGi is short, simple, and when most people think of there GiGi nothing but good thoughts or memories come to mind

Q.) How do you build a successful customer base?

Our customer base is word of mouth. We treat everyone as family and we turn no one away. As the saying goes, “you can attract more flies with honey then you do vinegar”

Q.) How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?

We use all various forms of marketing such as social media, radio, we book spots at local events, have flyers, and pass out business cards. I would say social media has been the most successful one post can reach many people in a matter of minutes

Q.) How many hours a day do you work on average? Describe/outline your typical day.

We typically work 10 hrs a day, we arrive an hour or two before opening to prep the food for the day. We make sure that all cooking appliances are in working condition. We are a cook to order soul food carry out restaurant. We serve every bite with a little love in it. We provide our customers with a great meal with excellent customer service. We start our closing process 30 mins before closing time. We clean and organize the store for the next workday. We lock up and get a good nights rest.

Q.) How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?

Being an entrepreneur has brought us closer as a family. We all contribute to make GiGis as successful as possible. It also is showing my grandchildren hard work, and achieving goals is possible.

Q.) Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?

I do believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur. That would be to keep God first and do everything in and with love. Staying authentic to who God has called and created you to be gets your far. I am living proof.

Q.) What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

Our most satisfying moments (because we can’t just pick one) has been feeding every teacher in our county, the hometown hero Wayndale Robinson eating at our restaurant but most importantly the smile we put on every customers face that enters our doors.

Q.) Last question, how do you define success

Success is making sure each and every one of my customers experience soul food fast. It’s customers returning because they enjoyed all that GiGis represents. Success for me is when our customers share their experience with others. Lastly it’s every customer feeling the soul in the soul food.