Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kyle Campis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kyle , great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
Taking a risk should be a common occurrence. It’s a gamble, but the odds are always in your favor. You always learn something, and so you benefit from whatever outcome. My ability to understand this came from constantly finding myself a the bottom of the ladder. That’s where you learn the most. The only way to grow is up, and when you find yourself on the rooftop, comfortable, and at a plateau, you should always find the next ladder to climb. It’s a beautiful never ending journey of self accomplishment and goal setting.
If the next drastic step in your life doesn’t scare you or leave butterflies in your stomach, its probably not the right move to push yourself to the next level.
I’ve always craved this kind of risk taking. I get antsy when feeling a comfortable routine. Therefore, I pushed myself to always be the littlest one in the room soaking in every bit of information I can gather, and take that leap of faith to purse my dream. Life is a gift. Why not make it exciting.
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?
In 2020, we were in the midst of the hardest shut down the restaurant industry had ever seen. I started to pick up private dinners for people who wanted to bring the restaurant into their home. Two years later, I discovered a wonderful, lucrative business opportunity – creating a private dining company that could elevate the client experience far beyond that of your ordinary catered party.
I started Walnut Hill Dinners, a dining experience, specializing in delivering a custom tailored experience and aesthetic based on your specific vision. I create menus for each client based on the vision and inspiration they share.
Since then, Walnut Hill has been preforming coursed dinners, weddings, luncheons, banquet meetings, and pop-ups.
My life partner, Morgan, work together to make sure this company and this brand stays true to all the reasons why we are passionate about food and dining. We don’t want you to pick from a selection of options. We want to collaborate with you to develop the most unique dining experience and serve it at your very own table.
As of today – I’ve been cooking professionally in Atlanta for almost ten years, studying with and learning from some of the best chefs in Atlanta. Now that I’m getting older and wish to create something meaningful, I’m working to put my skill and knowledge to the test and build this small business based around my skill to provide a personal and memorable dining experience.
Join us on instagram @walnuthilldinners or online at walnuthilldinners.com for all the new and exciting updates to come!
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?
The quality I am most grateful for is my outgoingness. I enjoy listening to strangers and connecting with people. It feeds my curiosity but also gives me the opportunity to be kind and to acknowledge the value that every person’s story holds. This specifically helps in the hospitality side of my business.
Secondly, my appreciation for how integral food is in our story, particularly in regards to our culture, representation, and traditions. I love when people share memorable stories of experiencing a particular dish or how they grew up eating. It inspires me to create a bite that’s worth making a memory. Having an artistic mindset that stems from other peoples happy moments is a constant reminder that I can achieve something long lasting.
This last is adaptability. I wasn’t put on this earth to fit in, but I’m here for a reason. I never thought I would be good at cooking food, but when I stumbled into the opportunity, I devoted myself to learning and creating a path that worked for me. I never know what the future will hold, but I know it will be great if I accept every opportunity to be molded and bettered by the opportunities that come my way.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I want to answer question because it’s something I’m facing pretty regularly these days.
Recently, I have experienced a severe amount of anxiety and paranoia surrounding to the potential failure of launching ones own business. I’ve been lost, and I’ve been stuck. I’ve dealt with personal challenges that I could only figure out on my own. It’s hard to put yourself out on a limb just to stand solely on what you believe may be possible. If there’s anything I have learned, however, it’s that the more it scares you, the better the outcome is.
I also have the most amazing cheerleader and support partner a man could ask for. Morgan, who covers my public relations, social media, website, branding, marketing, and also pre-batches cocktails for dinners, and, yes and, offers a photography package, keeps me moving. It’s so special to build something with someone you love. I have accomplished more in the years of her help than ever before.
My advice is to cherish the ones who love and support you, and always reach out to them if you need a little help. Be kind and understanding. It will take you far in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: walnuthilldinners.com
- Instagram: @walnuthilldinners
