We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Samanatha Sandrin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Samanatha below.
Hi Samanatha, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
When growing up I was raised to believe that being kind and giving love are the best things you could be or do. My father believed in the best of humanity and was a flower child. On the opposite end of the spectrum my mother was(is) an alcoholic who loved to blame me for everything wrong in her life. I choose the ladder. Eventually you make a choice to be better than your parents and break the generational trauma. Thats why I choose to be generous instead of selfish.
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 Midwest Sad, the food is important, but creating a safe and inclusive space matters just as much. Growing up in an abusive home, I know firsthand how vital it is to feel safe where you work and live. That’s why building a community where people are treated with respect and care is at the core of everything I do. It’s not just about running a business—it’s about making sure everyone here, from employees to customers, feels valued and supported, so we can build something stronger together.
Our long-term goal is to create a community kitchen in Bayview that becomes a hub for late-night food, local events, and community growth. We want to offer a space where people can not only enjoy great food but also come together to learn and connect. This includes teaching kids cooking skills, hosting workshops, and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone involved. It’s about creating a place that nurtures both the body and the community, where food brings people together in meaningful ways.
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?
In a kitchen, we (basically not a white man) were made to feel small and unimportant. You had to prove yourself and make yourself so reliable that you were indispensable. But when I was in my early twenties I met a chef that told me being kind and soft and being understanding is one of the best qualities you can have as a leader. That stuck with me, and when things get really tough I think of him. He taught me that loving yourself and showing emotions were skills that can/are developed over time and experience. Every single day I’m growing and learning, it never stops and shouldn’t.
When someone tries to make you feel low, make yourself feel higher. When I was repeatedly called jailbait in my teens in a kitchen, I had no idea how deeply rooted that problem was in the industry so I dealt with it. I didn’t know the power I had to make it stop, you can do it. Stand up for yourself and those around you, you can absolutely do it.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
The world has always faced the current issues we have now, BUT it was never updated on a second to second basis that showed kids being bombed or genocide on every continent. Being a small business owner you are expected to be every single thing, a graphic designer, human resources, cashier, prep cook, etc but you can never be YOURSELF. It’s a daily struggle to make cookies while the world is falling apart, even having the privilege to be alive seems unfair to others.
Social media has changed the world, in so many amazing ways but in contrast it has devastated us. I struggle with being light and happy all the time, thankfully being called Midwest Sad gives us some wiggle room!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.midwestsadmke.com
- Instagram: @midwestsadmke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestsadmke
Image Credits
Shadow Brain Agency (www.shadowbrainagency.com
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