We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful D Natasha (Chef Beee) Brewley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with D Natasha (Chef Beee) below.
Hi D Natasha (Chef Beee), really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I am an immigrant from Guyana, South America. Like most immigrants, you have big hopes and dreams about coming to America and what being in this space could offer you — In our family, America meant “The Land of Opportunity”. My mother instilled education as a value in me. Matter of fact, she talked a lot about me climbing the educational ladder in the Land of Opportunity because in her mind, it would be a free financial ride every step of the way. She was partly right about this. With that said, I climbed that ladder and earned degrees in Mathematics, Business and then a PhD in Mathematics Education and really thought that I was fulfilling my purpose by doing so. Being the learner that I am, I have always sought out new opportunities to push myself and learn new things that would deepen my knowing. So, in 2012, I decided to deepen my knowledge about health and wellness. Little did I know that this would spark my true calling. The calling to support people in my community struggling to take back their health. This purpose work pulled me so much, that I decided to leave my tenure as a college mathematics professor to become a healthy coach, chef educator focusing on helping people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My background is in mathematics education and I originally started Nyansapo Wellness Institute, Inc. under a slightly different name (Nyansapo Educational Services) and the focus was mathematics educational consulting in 2014. My real passion is health and wellness though, so three years after I started the business, decided to pivot to this sector and that is when I changed the name. Honestly, I became a business owner because I wanted freedom and to create meaningful change in my community. I wanted to be able to control my income because as an educator, we just don’t make a lot of money as educators. I also wanted to REALLY make a powerful impact in my community around health and wellness outcomes. As I stated earlier, I am from Guyana, South America and often in my community, I see so many people struggling with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other chronic diseases and really felt that I could inspire change by showing people a different way to take care of themselves. Specifically, how to eat to live and NOT how to live to eat. Actually, the real “aha” moment for me was about 10 years ago when I was taking a course at an Institute. This place was teaching me how to cook, eat and think differently about food. It was the most inspirational thing that I had ever done for myself and I remember saying, “I want to do this. I want to do this type of work in my community. This feels so natural and good.” And that was it! I haven’t looked back since. So grateful for taking a chance and leaping out there. I am learning so much on how to support people and I am seeing that people are at so many different levels in their wellness journey. For that reason, that is why we offer a few different services. I recently took the leap as of December 2022. So now I work full-time in my business.
So my business, Nyansapo Wellness Institute, Inc. is a health wellness brand that primarily nourishes entrepreneurs and professionals, from the inside out with plant-based food services and experiences. We help people who are seeking to be well, transition to a more healthy plant-based diet. We offer a variety of services that meet people where they are on their wellness journey from plant-based meal prep (Essential Meals 2Go!), to health coaching, culinary education and cleanses (The Palate Reset). I understand that while many people want to do better with their health they may often be confused or may not know where to begin the process. We offer a high touch approach to the services offered forming deep relationships with clients so that they can be served well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think that the most important things that I have learned on my journey is Consistency, Authenticity and Constant Study. These are three things (among many other skills) that I think are key if you want to be successful.
Consistency – I would tell anyone just starting a business or any endeavor for that matter that is is very challenging and most days you are going to want to quit because you don’t feel like you are making traction, but keep going. You have to love what you are doing to keep going. Just keep going. Just put one foot in front of the other, even when you don’t want to. It will get better over time. You gotta be consistent. Periodt.
Authenticity – There is no one else like you. Just be yourself. Show up how you gonna show up, but be YOU. All people want is you. There is no need to fake the funk. People will miss out on getting you if you do.
Constant Study – Continue to learn new things. Read new books and Listen to podcasts. Continue to be a student. It will keep you humble and keep you open to new ideas.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am absolutely looking for people to collaborate with. As a health and wellness professional, it is always great to cross pollinate and talk to other people across complimentary areas of focus. I am looking to partner with holistic physicians who are helping their patients navigate eating healthier with plant-based foods. I am also looking to collaborate with other business professionals by providing wellness support to their audience. If there is someone that would want to consider doing some kind of collaboration with me, they can schedule a chat on my Calendly scheduler at: https://calendly.com/chefbeee/chatwithbeee
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ChefBeee.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamchefbeee
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamchefbeee
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/dnatashabrewley
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamchefbeee
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@iamchefbeee
Image Credits
Chef Beee and Maurice Evans
