Meet Crissy Faison

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crissy Faison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Crissy , 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?
Developing confidence and strong self-esteem proved challenging for me. The journey to becoming the person I am today involved persistent self-questioning, not solely influenced by others’ opinions but by my commitment to meeting the high standards I set for myself.

Amidst building businesses in an unsupportive environment, discouraging remarks from industry peers echoed in my ears. Despite the setbacks, I embraced Tunnel Vision—focusing intensely on my goals, filtering out distractions, and persevering. This unwavering dedication led to the creation of LeanBack, a brand I cherish and a formidable force in its own right.

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?
A Chicago Heights native, I’ve realized my culinary dreams in North Carolina. An alumnus of NC A&T State University and Wake Tech Community College, I hold degrees in Journalism, Mass Communications, and Business Administration.

As the owner and executive chef of LeanBack Soul Food since 2016, I specialize in Southern cuisine. My LeanBack Seasoning line and LeanBack GiveBack Foundation reflect my commitment to well-seasoned food and community support. Recognized for leadership, including the Winston Under 40 Leadership Award, I’m passionate about empowering women and children in the culinary field while addressing food insecurity and waste.

Honored with distinctions like the Triad Minority Women Business Newcomer of the Year, I cherish time with my puppy, “Chicken Nugget,” contribute to my community, explore local eateries, and seek inspiration through travel.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Ambition, humility, and leadership have played pivotal roles on this transformative journey.

Ambition

Venturing into entrepreneurship allowed me to embrace the purpose I believe I’m destined for on this earth. My corporate America experience felt void of meaning, prompting a shift to fully engage in a purpose-driven life. Upon discovering my true calling, I have dedicated myself to achieving all my goals. There’s profound satisfaction in identifying your purpose and actively pursuing it. I encourage everyone to unearth their truth and wholeheartedly live in alignment with it.

Humility

I may never fully comprehend the profound impact I’m making, as, for me, it’s about working in my passion and following the orders I’ve set for myself. I cherish staying true to who I am, as it keeps me grounded. Whether the honor is big or small, I’m consistently shocked and humbled by the amazing moments in my life, questioning, “Me? You want me?”

Leadership

Leadership, to me, means empowering individuals or groups to guide and influence within an organization. My focus is fostering a culture where everyone becomes a leader. Teaching people to surpass their perceived limits is something I’ve come to cherish. In my cooking classes, I demonstrate tasks and encourage learning by doing, as I believe it’s the most effective way to grasp new skills. Whether it’s someone in my company or a participant in a class, if I see they can handle a task independently, I express my confidence in them. I steer away from terms like “staff” or “employees” and aim to build a team of leaders capable of running the business autonomously.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I’ve learned a valuable lesson through challenging experiences – understanding the importance of knowing when to pause, even when the pressure to keep going is strong. Taking a step back when overwhelmed is crucial. Whether it’s turning off phones, disconnecting temporarily, or indulging in a getaway to Brazil, self-care is integral to business success. Recognizing that I am synonymous with my business, LeanBack, empowers me to prioritize breaks when needed.

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