“The Foodie” | Owner, The Olive Branch | Waco, Texas
httpv://youtu.be/NgBN2dCi88M
About your business: I own an American bakery café. We make all of our own breads, pastries and desserts. It is important to me that our food is handmade as much as possible. All of our soups, salad dressings, chicken salad and pasta sauces are made from scratch.
Inspiration: I love to entertain with food. Throwing dinner parties is my favorite form of entertainment. A restaurant seemed to be a natural extension of that.
How you got started: I was given an opportunity to purchase an existing restaurant eight years ago.
Biggest challenge: The restaurant business is tough-there is a steep learning curve. Not only learning how to run a kitchen, but also managing finances and employees all at the same time is tricky.
Best moment: Having someone tell me they brought their family in to celebrate their birthday because The Olive Branch was their favorite restaurant!
Favorite menu item: My favorite menu item right now is the spinach pasta salad. It combines all of my favorite things!
Community collaborations: I feel strongly about being able to give back to the community that supports me. I’m part of the 254 Project, which is a group of local businesses that donate a portion of proceeds from a product or service to the 254 Foundation. The foundation provides grant funds, promotes projects and supports local nonprofit organizations that work to alleviate poverty. Through the foundation, I am able to directly impact the issue of poverty in Waco.
Words of wisdom: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
What’s next: Triple Treat Thursdays! We will be offering a ticketed evening event on the third Thursday of every month: Food, Fun and Friends. We will be advertising these events through our social media sites, Facebook and Twitter. Our first event will be dinner and a movie!
