We were lucky to catch up with Tammie Mathis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tammie, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My confidence and self-esteem developed late in life as an adult. I was always told what I NEED to do versus what I want it to do in my heart. My self-esteem arose when I met my husband. There was always an applause from him. Any idea that I may have he was definitely my support.. not that my family did not contribute, but it definitely grew stronger once he became a part of my life. Your support system is very, very important.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Well, all of my life, since I was about 13 years old, I wanted to be a chef or a cook, or own some type of restaurant. It didn’t matter what time I just love the food industry.. I tell everyone after watching my grandfather, and my mother put together recipes like they did just amazed me. So I’ve worked in every aspect of anything you can think of.. short order cook, management, education, catering, hospitals, fast food, name I’ve done them all So fast forward till now I’m a married woman with two children and finally I have my own small restaurant. I own salad/sandwiches and appetizer shop in Flint Michigan. It’s amazing being a business owner and sometimes a bit scary, but I know I was made to do this.. my salads and sandwiches are not your ordinary salad or sandwich. Whatever you like to eat, we will put on a bead of lettuce. So it’s nothing but up from here, and I’m praying that the Lord keeps us on the right path
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three skills and qualities that I believe help me on this journey was culinary school, actually working in the industry, and management. I have a black owned business and one of our main goals is customer service which I hate to say is lacking in some areas of hospitality.. my advice to other people is to make that your top goal. Customer service will bring customers back regardless of their mistakes that may have been made. Just make sure your customer service is top notch. Make sure your product is top notch. Always strive for excellence..
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
One particular challenge I’m facing right now is growth.. sometimes I feel like I should be further along than I am, but overall I’m still here. It’s been five years I’ve been in business even through Covid.. we’re still in operation, which is such a blessing. But I’d like to be further along maybe second location, larger location. I grew so fast in five years, and now it seems as though it’s at a standstill.. but there’s no hope lost still believe we’re gonna grow and we’re gonna succeed fast where we are now.
Contact Info:
- Website: Teesplentifulsalads.com
- Instagram: Tees_Plentiful_Salads
- Facebook: TEES
