We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lesley Price. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lesley below.
Hi Lesley, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I FOCUSED ON MY WHY … Remembering why I got started. I used Criticism as fuel instead of letting the negativity bring me down I used it as MOTIVATION. I had to Surround myself with positivity , I built a support system of people who believed in me . I had to learn to let go , because everyone will not understand and appreciate your path, letting go of everyone’s approval can free up mental and emotional space to focus on what truly matters. I had to measure my own progress , celebrating my small wins and tracking my growth. I had to practice on resilience, I had to keep showing up for myself even when it was hard . Persistence! Last I had to focus on the work , not the noise . By dedicating my energy to improving my craft and business .
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?
At our business, we specialize in bringing the nostalgia and excitement of carnival food to every event, big or small. We focus on serving classic favorites like funnel cakes, homemade corn dogs, and refreshing lemonade, all made with high-quality ingredients and a whole lot of love. What sets us apart is the authentic, homemade touch we bring to every bite—people can taste the difference, and it creates that warm, fun atmosphere you associate with fairs and carnivals.
What excites us most is the joy that carnival food brings to people of all ages. There’s something timeless about the experience of enjoying a funnel cake or biting into a freshly made corn dog—it’s food that brings back memories and creates new ones, all while being simple and delicious.
Right now, we’re expanding our reach and setting up at more events across the region. We’re also introducing new menu items inspired by the classics but with a twist—things like gourmet funnel cakes with unique toppings and specialty lemonade flavors.
We’d love for folks to come out, enjoy the experience, and share a taste of what we do. Keep an eye on our event schedule, because we’ve got some exciting locations and collaborations in the works! Whether it’s a local fair or a community event, we’re all about creating moments of joy through food.
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?
1. **Resilience**: The road to building something meaningful isn’t easy, and setbacks are inevitable. Having the ability to bounce back from challenges—whether they’re financial struggles, tough competition, or customer demands—was crucial. You’ll face days when things don’t go as planned, but resilience helps you stay committed to your vision.
**Advice**: Cultivate resilience by embracing failure as part of the process. Set small, achievable goals so that progress feels tangible, and lean on a support system when times are tough. Keep moving forward even when things get difficult—persistence is key.
2. **Creativity**: In a competitive industry, especially in food, it’s crucial to stand out. For us, creativity has come through in how we approach traditional carnival food. We didn’t want to just recreate what’s already out there; we’ve played around with flavors, techniques, and presentation to create something unique. This not only attracts customers but also keeps the work exciting.
**Advice**: Don’t be afraid to take creative risks. Stay curious and experiment with your craft. You can draw inspiration from other industries, cultures, or even customer feedback. Creativity often thrives when you’re open to new ideas and willing to innovate.
3. **Adaptability**: Markets shift, trends change, and unexpected circumstances arise (like a global pandemic). Being able to pivot and adjust your approach has been essential for keeping the business afloat and growing. Whether it’s adapting our menu to seasonal ingredients or shifting focus to cater to specific events, flexibility has helped us thrive.
**Advice**: Stay informed about changes in your industry and remain flexible. The ability to quickly adjust to new circumstances is invaluable. Learn to spot trends early, be willing to pivot when necessary, and always be open to learning.
For those early in their journey, I’d recommend focusing on these qualities by challenging yourself constantly—whether it’s experimenting with new ideas, pushing through difficulties, or responding swiftly to changes in the market. Success rarely comes without the willingness to evolve and persevere.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the last 12 months, the biggest area of growth for us has been in **scaling the business while maintaining quality**. As we expanded to more events and increased our customer base, it was critical to ensure that the homemade, authentic touch that defines our brand wasn’t compromised. Managing larger volumes while still providing that personalized experience has been both a challenge and a major achievement.
We’ve improved in **streamlining operations**—from more efficient prep and cooking methods to better sourcing of ingredients that can keep up with demand without sacrificing quality. At the same time, we’ve also expanded our team, ensuring everyone is aligned with our vision and standards.
This growth has allowed us to serve more people and take on bigger events without losing the special, nostalgic feel that defines our brand. It’s been a learning curve, but I’m proud of how we’ve maintained our core values as we scale up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rugsbyles.com
- Instagram: Rugs_By_Les
- Facebook: Rugs By Les
Image Credits
Image credits goes to Lesley Price
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
