Meet James L

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

James , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my journey and the community I serve. I’ve faced challenges that could have broken me, but instead they became fuel to build something meaningful. Swagg Kitchen was born out of that drive — to turn struggle into flavor, and pain into purpose. Every recipe, every plate, is a reminder that setbacks can be seasoning for a stronger comeback. I carry that same resilience into my business, my creativity, and my commitment to giving back through the Green Ribbon Project.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the founder and creative force behind Swagg Kitchen, where we bring bold, scratch-made flavors to life through unique sauces, seasonings, and elevated Southern-inspired dishes with a twist. What excites me most is seeing people light up when they taste something new, whether it’s a loaded spud topped with our signature sauce or a limited-edition seasonal flavor. Every recipe has a story, and for me, it’s about more than food. It’s about creating an experience, building community, and giving back through initiatives like the Green Ribbon Project, which supports youth mental wellness.

Right now, we’re working on expanding our sauce line, preparing for more pop-up events, and collaborating with other local businesses to keep our flavors fresh and our impact strong. Swagg Kitchen isn’t just a brand, it’s a movement built on resilience, creativity, and the belief that food can heal, connect, and inspire.

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?

For me, the three most impactful qualities have been creativity, adaptability, and perseverance. Creativity is at the heart of everything I do, from developing unique recipes to finding ways to tell Swagg Kitchen’s story. Adaptability has kept me moving forward when plans changed or challenges popped up, and perseverance is what kept me from quitting when things got hard.

For anyone starting their journey, I’d say:

Creativity grows when you stay curious. Try new things, explore different ideas, and don’t be afraid to put your own twist on them.

Adaptability comes from being open to change. Things won’t always go as planned, so be willing to pivot without losing sight of your vision.

Perseverance builds when you remind yourself why you started. Your ‘why’ will be your anchor when the road gets tough.

No matter what industry you’re in, those three qualities can take you further than you ever imagined.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe you should go all in on your strengths, but never completely ignore your weaknesses. Your strengths are where you can make the biggest impact, stand out, and build confidence. That’s where your natural energy flows. But I also think it’s important to understand your weaker areas, not so you can become great at everything, but so they don’t hold you back.

For example, when I started Swagg Kitchen, my strengths were creativity and wanting to feed others. I could make a food that people would remember after one bite. But I wasn’t as strong in marketing or business planning. Instead of trying to master everything at once, I focused on building my brand through my cooking, while finding tools, mentors, and collaborations to fill the gaps in my business skills.

That approach allowed me to grow faster, because I was leading with what I do best. Meanwhile, I worked just enough on my weaker areas to keep the business moving smoothly. My advice: let your strengths be your driving force, but respect your weaknesses enough to learn the basics or find people who can help you cover them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/swaggkitchen_