We were lucky to catch up with Melanie Porter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Melanie, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I’m what people call a “workaholic”. Due to my mother being married to a preacher my dad, and growing up in church, me and my siblings were taught to work for the Lord. In growing into young adults my mother and father divorced and my mother then took on being a single parent, working 2 jobs to raise 4 children on her on, truly opened my eyes to “real” work ethic. My mother and grandmother both worked for the community (advocates for Parkwood park/pool) my grandmother served on the committee board for Parkwood Park, and both well known as they we’re southern home taught chefs that would sell dinners on both sides of Kansas City. My mother who recently passed earlier this year in February under my care from major health issues, worked 2 jobs in high positions and never received state assistance. She instilled in me something I had no idea would pay off in such a major way.I want too share this experience with someone because while I was consistently starting to market and brand my chef/ catering business also serving dinners from my home and caring for my mom while her health was rapidly declining, on 2 different occasions she was rushed to hospital for a stroke. In the process of me having care come to transport her, I was still serving my clients in the midst of it all. I think back and cry sometimes because no matter what, I was able to overcome some of my hardest challenges this year. Before & after my moms passing I had been applying for small business loans or grants to help purchase my food truck but was constantly denied. 4 months after my mother passed I purchased my food truck without a loan or a grant but just consistency,, dedication, and real“work ethic” My mother and grandmother (her mom) both were very successful in every one of their endeavors. Which were passed down to me the tools too use for my up & coming future success. So I say to you work ethic is a key factor to your success, without it there is no success so keep going!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a self taught or family taught southern cuisine private chef and caterer. My roots are from Memphis Tennessee. I have been cooking most of my life but in the last 5 years have marketed and elevated my business by making it legitimate. I host my own events all over Kansas City as well as collaborate with many different event, planners in Kansas City. I’m also involved in a couple of non profits organizations that help me too give back to my community. (Angels giving grace) is 1 of the non profits.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I would say my 3 key influences or impacts would be; Listening to people or person that has been successful in the same business as you and take their advice that applies to you and your journey. (You have to be teachable)
Second do not listen or entertain people who don’t see your vision
Third no matter what just keep going nothing can stop you but you!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
All in all I have a handful of people who are my support system but I will name my husband Craig Porter Sr. & my sister Michelle Rainey and my cousin Kendra Dean all are the behind the scenes people who I only let them know personally how thankful I am to them for being there for me no matter what. This article is dedicated to my grandmother Maxine Crowder & my mother Linda F Dudley because without them their would be no Chef Lynn!
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Lynn Porter or @LynnsSoulFoodDelights
- Other: Google: Lynn’s Soul Food Delights
Image Credits
Images by Photographer Jackie Terry
