Today we’d like to introduce you to Jemmalyn Mitchell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all began in March 2016 when I resigned from my 9-5 job as a Nurse Case Manager for a Skilled Nursing Facility. It was not easy to leave my job especially at the height of my career but my family was growing and my priorities changed. I always had a passion for cooking. Friends and co-workers would always suggest that I opened up a restaurant. I enjoyed visiting local Farmer’s Markets. My Sunday routine consists of church and visiting Hillcrest Farmers Market to pick up fresh produce for my household for the week. My family and I would stay for lunch and enjoy the rest of the day eating delicious food from local food vendors at the Market. I remember watching the vendors as they set up in their booth and thinking to myself “One day, I’ll have a booth here too.’ Shortly after in April of 2016 Lady G’s Canteen was born.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There were a lot of challenges in opening a new business. I was starting from scratch with no professional experience. In the beginning, I was working day and night with no compensation. I had to take classes for certifications and to educate myself. There were never-ending applications for permits, licenses, insurance, advertisement, marketing, etc. The fees were piling up while there were no income coming in.
The hardest part was trying to get in the local Farmer’s Market to sell our food. There were plenty of competition and waitlist for the best and busiest markets. When I opened up the business I thought you can just get your permits and sell at any of these locations but that was not the case. The Farmers Markets were managed by a designated person under an organization and one must apply first and go to a process and wait if you are chosen. It took countless emails, persistency and visits to local markets before we were able to get in.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lady G’s Canteen story. Tell us more about the business.
Lady G’s Canteen is a local family-owned business. The name Lady G’s Canteen was inspired by two lovely ladies named Gianna and Gizelle that gave me the power and strength to pursue my dreams with no limits. Hopefully, when I am no longer around they can continue the legacy as they are the true Lady G.
We can be found at your local Farmer’s Market and pop up events all over San Diego. We specialize in catering to Authentic Filipino Cuisine, American and Asian Fusion. We deliver to local San Diego. We are Vegan/vegetarian-friendly and have a full Vegan Menu at all our Events so all can enjoy.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We have been very blessed to have great support from friends and networks from the medical field. Our very first customers were nursing facilities, home health agencies and doctor’s offices. Is was a huge leap of faith opening up a food business not knowing what to expect but it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
We are now three years into our business and still growing. We have met so many amazing people along the way. We are so grateful to our customers for their continued support. We hope to open up a restaurant in the near future. In the meantime, we promise to continue to serve delicious food made with love.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6196469815
- Email: ladygscanteen@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ladygscanteen
- Facebook: facebook.com/ladygscanteen
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/lady-gs-canteen-san-diego
Image Credit:
The Event Photography Vicente Campbell
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