Meet Michelle McDuffie

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

Michelle, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I am the owner of Soul Patrol, a Lactose Free Food Trailer. In 2007 my appendix ruptured and caused me to have emergency surgery. 3 years later, the scar tissue from the appendix surgery punctured my small intestines, causing a small bowel obstruction which lead to another surgery. 6 months later, I had another obstruction and surgery again to remove the 2nd obstruction.
As a result of those surgeries, they caused my body to no longer produce the lactase enzyme that breaks down the lactose thats found in various foods, especially dairy foods.
After having pain and discomfort from macaroni and cheese, and other dairy foods, I started researching what was causing that pain and discomfort. Through a process of elimination and speaking with my doctor, I realized that I had developed an intolerance to lactose, and not just dairy. I tried some dairy free foods but still had discomfort.
Over the years, I experimented with various lactose free recipes that I could tolerate while still tasting delicious and flavorful.
I started making my delicious recipes for myself and my family. The positive feedback was overwhelming!
I realized that I am one of countless individuals whose body does not produce the lactase enzyme and there are so many other people who are lactose intolerant. So I decided to share my gift with the world! I could have easily just accepted the fact that I couldn’t eat cheese and milk again. Instead, I decided to create the foods that I love but in a version that’s healthy and safe for my body!

This discovery birthed Soul Patrol, Lactose Free Food Trailer!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am focused on sharing my delicious, lactose free foods with the world! I’m excited for others who are lactose intolerant (and those who are not) to discover that we too can enjoy delicious foods that contain cheese and milk alternatives, and still tastes great! I want people to not just take my word for it; come sample the foods for yourself and after one taste you will become a believer! Samples are by request and we are confident that after you taste the food you will be purchasing it from us! Lactose free does not mean tasteless and flavorless! Our lactose free entrees are bursting with flavor and taste delicious!

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?

My journey has taught me, and continues to teach me the importance of flexibility, the value of patience, and the discipline of persistent endurance!
As much as I’m a natural planner, it’s impossible for me to plan for every scenario. Although sometimes the unknown can throw a curve ball, it forces me to be more flexible and adapt to the changes!
Owning a business requires a lot of patience to grow and evolve. Business growth and success is a marathon, not a sprint! Be patient; it’s coming!
Persistent endurance is to do it anyway! Do it when business is slow, do it when no one knows your name, do it when it seems like it’s not working! Continue building and preparing, and eventually the growth and success will happen! If God gave it to you, it will work! Remain persistent and endure!
The advice that I would offer myself and others is to always know your worth! Never devalue or dim yourself to accommodate others! Your assigned customer base is waiting for 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?

God has blessed me with a great family! My husband and daughters are my biggest cheerleaders and support system! I collaborate with them and share recipe ideas for the food truck and they’re quick to provide honest feedback. They offer research support, suggestions for improvements and additional information that’s helpful for my growth. I realize Im not the most skilled in some areas, and they use their skills and abilities to support me. They have been my taste testers for many years. They are brutally honest, yet are equally loving and supportive! They have held me up when I had moments where I thought I would crumble! My husband is my supporter, my cashier, my driver, and so much more and he does it all with grace! He is my emotional sounding board! My daughters are my creative minds, social media support staff, daily phone call check ins, and so much more! My family continues to help me overcome challenges!
I’m extremely grateful and blessed for my supportive family!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Soulpatrol.lactosefree
• Facebook: Soulpatrol.lactosefree
• Other: TikTok
  Soulpatrol.lactosefree