Today we’d like to introduce you to Latoya Lawrence.
Hi Latoya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From the back roads of Grenada, Mississippi, to the city streets of Denton, Texas, came a Beautiful Black Woman on a mission to achieve every goal she set. Becoming a business owner was my motivation for moving to Texas. At a young age, I watched my grandmother, mother, father, aunts, etc. use the concept that we know today as Farm to Table. I grew up in a rural area where we grew our vegetables and raised chickens and pigs. My grandmother was my Culinary Superhero in real life. My Culinary Superhero was named Addie Lawrence, a lady who lived most of her life with one functional hand. There was nothing this lady didn’t do and knew how to do. My grandmother was able to care for vegetables and animals and was an incredible cook/baker with the things we were able to grow or purchase from other families that grew their food. I dreamed of having my own food business at the early age of 14. At age 15, I worked in a soul food café known as Dwights. Mr. Dwight was the owner of the only soul food café and food truck in town. Mr. Dwight would operate the food truck to feed people at various companies’ lunch breaks in the area. At the time, food trucks were not popular, and licenses weren’t required. After graduating from high school, I moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Concorde Career College to begin my potential career in Nursing. I completed my Medical Assistant Certificate and found out that the job market was over-saturated, and the certificate was a waste of time. This created disappointment and a reason not to continue nursing. I decided to attend a trade school, so New Wave Cosmetology school was up next. Why not learn a trade and earn money? Well, that was more challenging than I thought. While in school, I realized this was not the career path I wanted. Being a person who doesn’t like to quit, I finished school hours, received my cosmetology license, and was offered an opportunity to return to get my instructor’s license. Did I say I dreamed of starting my own food business early? I know you were thinking, why go through all of this and not pursue culinary? Well, I followed what everyone else felt I should do, what was popular, and the quickest career path that would put money in my pocket to help with my food business.
I know, I know. My grandmother would often tell me to “SLOW DOWN.” I didn’t understand what she meant because I was not a young lady that liked to party, hang with a big crowd, or do anything illegal. I learned what she meant when I was forced to SIT DOWN. Pregnancy forced me to sit. I was forced to slow down and think and efficiently react. I found out I was pregnant, and a week later, I was on bed rest for my entire pregnancy and four months of hospitalization. After giving birth to my daughter, life began to happen.
With time to really slow down, pray, and fast I was led back to the career path I should have stayed on. One day while resting, I saw a commercial showcasing the Culinary Art program. I applied and was accepted into the Southwest Tennessee Community College Hospitality Management program. During my attendance at Southwest, I had the most fantastic Chef instructor name Chef Steven Leake. Chef Leake was really passionate about what he was teaching, so it was motivating to be in his presence. Mr. Leake also runs and operates an ice sculpturing business and does spectacular work. I graduated from there and continued to The Art Institute of Nashville to complete my bachelor. Unfortunately, due to my father’s illness, I could not finish.
In 2013 I moved to Denton, Texas, and began to work as a Sous Chef with an Assistant Living Facility. In November 2013, a food service career path started in Texas. Since I began at Denton State Supportive Living Center in 2013, I’ve been promoted five times because I was motivated to learn every aspect of being in a commercial kitchen. I was very different, but it taught me so much and gave me enough confidence to open T’s Table Catering Services, LLC in 2019. I continued my employment with the state of Texas and am the Assistant Food Service Director. Growth in every aspect of my life is essential to me. The exciting part about growth is you never know where it will take you, but it’s where you need to be. Development has got me to my dream as a food business owner. In 2019 I finally perfected my seasoning blend for fried foods. At that point, I knew whatever business I owned, it would serve fried chicken. I own and operate a food trailer named Groovy Chicken and Waffles. I specialize in southern fried chicken and waffles. If you are looking for that chicken that tastes like grandma or your favorite aunt cooking for Sunday dinners, you must try us out. The process was long and hard, but with God, all things are possible by staying obedient and consistent.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
FEAR!!! Has been my struggle. I heard Pastor T.D. Jake says, “You don’t build your business on where you have been or where you are from; you build it on where you are going. To build your business in the future, you must reimagine your strategy.” All I know is my past and experiences. To utilize the advice, I needed to write the vision and make it plain; we have all heard this. I often enjoyed writing my thoughts, dreams, and prayers but was not motivated after my father’s passing. After hearing from Mr. Jakes, I knew I needed to write my strategies, build relationships, and build communication. When you decide to begin ANYTHING, you can visualize the results but can’t see the process. Matthew 25:15 (To one, he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability) and prayed. I didn’t know my concept/name, but I knew I had to get this small 6×10 trailer up to comply with my concept. There is a process before the promise. The process will discourage you if you don’t have a vision of the promise. I pray that I continue not to fear tomorrow but live in purpose. Fear is the secret of failure. What you do is not who you are!!! You are not a title; you are more than what people call you; you are more than the company you work for. I am everything that gives me the energy to jump out my bed. Your passion is your purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Growing up in Mississippi, we loved to eat and cook many of the state’s specialties. I own and operate Groovy Chicken and Waffles in the Denton and DFW metroplex. I also own T’s Table Catering Services, LLC. Both businesses serve the ultimate southern comfort foods. Although it’s easier and more affordable to start a mobile food business instead of a brick-and-mortar location, it does take time and effort to ensure success. My concept of chicken and waffles was first originated in the African American community of Harlem, New York. Need it now! You can usually find Groovy Chicken and Waffles all around town and posted in several locations. We’re working on being able to sell our seasoning blend, so stay on the lookout. We are available for school events, catering, corporate, festivals, community events, private events, etc. Our catering business is known as T’s Table Catering Services, LLC. Follow us on Facebook at Groovy Chicken and Waffles Denton, Instagram at Groovy Chicken and Waffles, or groovychickenandwaffles@gmail.com.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up in Mississippi truly is a unique experience. I am a friendly, laid-back, and loveable person. Where I’m from, neighbors still sit on their porches and “visit,” greeting all that pass by. If your car breaks down, someone will stop. May or may not be your age, race, sex, or color – they don’t care; they are willing to help. Any time there is a problem, whether lifting a heavy box, catching a runaway dog, or trying to get through a door with both hands full, someone will pop up out of nowhere and lend a hand. Growing up, Mississippians made me a survivor – strong, courageous, adventurous, with a big heart, and a lover of eating and cooking good food.
Pricing:
- 5 Wings and Fluffy Waffle $10
- 5 Wings and Groovy Seasoned Fries $10
- 3 Breast Tenderloin and Fluffy Waffle $12
- 3 Breast Tenderloin and Groovy Seasoned Fries $12
- $9 Dessert Waffle of the Day: Peach Cobbler, Fruity Pebbles, Strawberry, Oreo, Cookie Crunch
Contact Info:
- Website: groovychickenandwaffles.com
- Instagram: groovychickenandwaffles
- Facebook: groovychickenandwafflesdenton
Image Credits
Amber McNeil
Mama Bear Photography
Christopher Whitt
