We were lucky to catch up with William Bly recently and have shared our conversation below.
William , 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.
How did I find my purpose??!!…LOL!!, Well, I started out as a Hairstylist / Cosmetologist and after completing school and taking the state board exam, I was ready…I opened my 1st salon, had employees / stylist, and I thought I was doing the damn thing. And I struggled to do that for over 8 years, not knowing that, it was not my purpose…I loved it, but it just wasn’t fulfilling, I enjoyed what I was doing, but that just wasn’t it. So while I was still working a 9-5 job, running a salon, struggling to make it work, I was asked to cater a birthday party, I didn’t have any supplies, didn’t know how to cook enough food for the amount of people that would be there, but I just ruff it, and pretended that I knew what I was doing. And it worked!!! From that event, I ended up with 2 more events, then from those 2 & 3 more events, and it just went on from there. Eventually, I shut down the whole salon thing, and focused more on what it would take to start my own catering business. I already had some of the best influences in my life that were amazing Cooks/ Chefs; my Grandmother (Inez Scott) Mother (JoeAnn Scott) and Grandfather ( Stanley Bly) so cooking and the culinary mantle had already been instilled in me.
After starting my business Specialty Events & Catering in 2015, business just catapulted and was moving at a very rapid pace, after catering for some very prestigious people, I knew then, that my purpose had been found, I was finally doing what I loved, what I was passionate about, and what made me feel accomplished.
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?
I am the owner of Specialty Events & Catering in Southern California, I have a full service catering business, not only limited to cooking/catering, but have a staff that is well versed in Event Planning, Floral Designs, Event Coordinator, Bartending Services and more. What’s most exciting, is when I receive calls, text messages, and emails telling me how happy and pleased my client(s) are after their event. That’s the best feeling in the world.
So be on the lookout for our Mother’s Day Brunch, the Annual Cigars & Cognac Father’s Day Brunch and the Cookbook launch by Chef William Bly Southern and Soulful Cooking
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Study your craft – Learn as much as you can about your career, learn new and exciting things. 2. Find resources that will encourage you to be better in what you’re doing.
3. Have people that will support you and push you to greatness.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I love to collaborate on so many levels, I like to have cooking classes, cooking challenges, trips to conferences, just name a few .I’m curious to share stories about other cooks/chefs and their experiences as a chef.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.specialtyevents.catering
- Instagram: chef_bly
