Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nick Wallace, Founder and Head Chef of Nick Wallace Culinary, located in Jackson, MS, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Culinary business, and to be honest, everyone is a potential customer.
Tell us about yourself
I'm Nick Wallace, an executive chef, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has dedicated my life to showcasing the beauty of food, redefining the Southern experience, and introducing the world to Mississippi-inspired cuisine. My culinary journey started early on, learning from my grandmothers and combining my family-farm roots with French techniques to create a modern, Mississippi-influenced cuisine infused with my own culinary innovations and understanding of flavor profiles. As the owner of CHURN Creameries 2022, Nick Wallace Culinary, Nick Wallace Catering, and Nissan Café by Nick Wallace, I've been fortunate enough to flex my leadership skills as an executive chef at some of America's most prominent museums and hotels. I've also been featured on numerous domestic and international television programs, including Food Network's Comfort Nation (Season 2), Chopped, Chopped: Alton's Challenge, Cutthroat Kitchen, Food Network Canada's Firemasters, and Voyage's (France) Unexplored America - Mississippi. Most recently, I appeared on Bravo's Top Chef (Season 19) and CNN's NOMAD with Carlton McCoy.
Throughout the years, I've gained recognition on both regional and national levels. The James Beard Foundation even selected me to present five Mississippi-themed dinners in New York City. I've been named "Best Chef of Mississippi" in 2020, consistently included in the peer-reviewed "Best Chefs America" list, and recognized as "Best Chef" (Jackson, MS) for four consecutive years. As the founder of Creativity Kitchen, a non-profit organization aimed at providing nutrition education, exposure to farm-to-table practices, and access to flavorful, healthy meals and culinary experiences for young, public school students and their families (Jackson, MS), I'm passionate about giving back to my community. I'm also a Co-Chair of Share the Gulf and a board member for Hunger Free America. I participate in partnerships with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Dole, Novo Nordisk, and Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. By using palate-pleasing cuisine to touch lives, I'm committed to making a positive impact in the world.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Staying in business is the biggest.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying relevant.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do your homework first. Have good home habits you can take into your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.nickwallaceculinary.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickWallaceCulinary/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickwallaceculinary/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-wallace-9628014b/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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