Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Newsome.
Paul, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a banking manager by day and home cook by night. I can remember as far back as before I could reach a stove, I would climb a chair and make scrambled eggs and pancakes. I’ve always loved cooking, I get it from my family they are excellent home cooks. This love turned into a passion as I grew older and began a family. Along with my passion for cooking, being a small business owner has always fascinated me. In high school, pre-iTunes days, I would sell burned cd’s to classmates for cash, then went on to sell high-end sneakers. Working in the banking industry, I had the opportunity to work with small business owners, helping them with financial needs and getting to hear their stories was the best part. So, we fast forward to 2017, I got a promotion to open a branch in Lower Greenville. Seeing these small business owners, and along with my passion for cooking, I decide I want to join in. But what can I do? I love to cook, but the restaurants are too risky? I know people love sweets, I see Joy Macaroons and Steel City Pops. I’m like okay what don’t we have access to yet in Dallas, what can I make that’s sweet *light bulb CHURROS Though I’m not one to cook the sweets, (that’s my wife) occasionally, I made churros. The churros I was making where fluffy and I felt if I was going to sell to public I needed to perfect it. I looked up tons of recipes on google and videos on YouTube. I wasn’t happy with the recipes I was finding so I made my own. Took me about six months of burning and exploding churros to finally perfect. So, I have my ideas and my receipts and I still don’t know how or where to sell them. By chance, I was shopping for supplies at Ace Mart on Ross and a lady asks me what’s my business and I tell her I’m making churros, but I don’t know where yet. She mentions the Dallas Farmers Market. I hadn’t been there since I was a kid on field trips. I go and there’s this new building, but I see the heart and soul is under “The Shed” I apply and was interviewed in July of 2018 and here we are.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
You know working with business owners and in the financial industry, you’d think it was a breeze. It’s not. It’s tough to start your own business. You have to spend money to make money. I used up my savings, credit cards and all of my taxes to get going. Then, you need to find specific permits and licenses. There were times I questioned my self if this was the right decision. But with persistence, I ignored the little voice in my head.
Twisted Churros – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our slogan is “Hand Crafted Churros with a Twist.” At the market, we hand make our dough in batches fresh. A lot of my choices, I’ve taken from my favorite desserts or cereals and incorporated them with churros. That’s the “Twist” add that along with ice cream and you got a match made in heaven. What sets us apart is our churros are 100% vegan and I even rolled out with a vegan menu. I’m proud of the feedback that I’ve received thus far, many claims we are the best churros they’ve eaten. It’s always great to hear that. Plus, we have our committed customers who visit us each time we are at the market. I really need to roll out some customer loyalty cards. 🙂
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I’ve read that “Success is a journey, not a destination” I attribute much of my success to my life’s journey. I grew up with two brothers and a single mom. Never knew my father, even my grandfather left my mother when she was young. My middle brother is part African American growing up we often dealt with the adversity. As an adolescent, my mom was sent to prison for six years. Growing up without a mom or father is tough, but I had support and love from my family. Times were tough being on food stamps and had our utilities turned off. Dealing with these struggles as a youngster helped mold me to the person I am today. Growing up, I knew that I wanted to change the status quo. Break the cycle of men not being in my family. To be there for my kids and build something for them to carry on. I share this for inspiration to others that have had this struggle. Use it as a motivation. Grow your ambitions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.twistedchurros.com
- Email: [email protected]
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