Meet Kenya Simpkins

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kenya Simpkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

There was a time I struggled with imposter syndrome—always questioning if I was enough or if I really deserved the things I prayed for. But the closer I got to God, the more I realized He doesn’t make mistakes. Every blessing in my life has a purpose, and I don’t have to feel ashamed of them. I learned to stop shrinking myself and start walking boldly, knowing my blessings aren’t just for me, but to inspire and uplift others.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I own several restaurants featuring different cuisines, and after experiencing great success in the food industry, I felt called to give back by coaching others on how to maximize their own restaurant journey. What excites me most is not only creating memorable dining experiences for our guests but also being able to mentor new and seasoned restaurant owners so they can avoid some of the challenges I faced early on. Those challenges shaped me and gave me the knowledge I now have to pour into others.

Our flagship brand, The Dining Experience, has grown tremendously, and I’m proud to share that we are preparing to launch franchise opportunities so more communities can enjoy what we’ve built. In addition, due to the high demand for our specialty events and private parties, we’ve expanded by opening an event hall to better serve our guests. It’s a blessing to see how far we’ve come, and even more rewarding to know we’re just getting started.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were adaptability, a commitment to quality, and customer service.

The restaurant industry is constantly changing, so adaptability has been key. Trends shift, technology evolves, and customer expectations grow—but being willing to adjust and stay ahead of the curve has kept us relevant and successful.

Second, focusing on quality has always been non-negotiable. Even when growth didn’t look the way I imagined, staying true to delivering high-quality food and experiences built a foundation for long-term success. Food is personal—while you can’t please everyone, you can create lasting impressions with the people you do reach.

Lastly, customer service is everything. People may not remember every detail of their meal, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Prioritizing great service has been one of the strongest drivers of loyalty and growth in our business.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is: stay flexible, never compromise on quality, and always put people first. If you focus on those three areas, everything else will follow.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was instilling resilience. With my father passing when I was very young, I was primarily raised by my mother, who became a powerful example of strength and perseverance. She taught me how to remain steady in the face of challenges, to never give up regardless of how things appeared, and to always stay true to myself while keeping God first. Those lessons have shaped both my personal journey and my professional success, and they continue to guide me in everything I do.

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Image Credits

Donnie (Dcal) Calliens

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