HustleSBE Cohort Three Graduate: LaShonda Stewart

Name of Business: LaShonda’s Soul Food Café

Website: Click Here

Business Description: We bring back memories and conversations of family dinners on Sunday. Snapping peas, baking biscuits, frying chicken, and drinking sweet tea with grandma, cousins, sisters, brothers, and neighbors.

At what point did you realize the dream of your business was real?: When I was asked to cater for a wedding, then was asked to be a full catering service for this wedding, I knew my business was real. I provided the servers, napkins, knives, forks, spoons, table clothes, glasses, center pieces, employees uniforms and securing a venue for the wedding. It went perfectly and the food was awesome.

Share a business lesson you have learned: My most learned business lesson is networking. I get nervous talking to people about my business. I am getting better with it. The nerves are still there but calmer.

Are you from the South Bend-Elkhart region?/ Why did you come or stay in the area?: I am not from South Bend. I came because I got hired at the University of Notre Dame in Campus Dining. I stayed because business opportunities were knocking at my door, and I decided to answer this time around.

Share your favorite business resource. Why is it your favorite?: My favorite resource is All Over Creations, a local artistic custom bakery in Mishawaka. I love the owner’s dedication and work ethic. She gives her all to her business. She never gives up.

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The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, in collaboration with the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, is excited to launch Cohort Four of HustleSBE! Applications are open now through Friday, August 6, 2021 at 5:00pm. Businesses must be headquartered in the South Bend – Elkhart region, which includes Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties in Indiana or Berrien and Cass counties in Michigan. Other criteria and more information about the program can be found at hustlesbe.org.