Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Sloan.
Mark, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always wanted to create art through food and WTF! began as an idea in 2013 prior to becoming vegan. When I became vegan in 2015, it was overnight and I started off by eating only alkaline foods. I abandoned the idea of a food business because I knew my customer base would be small if I chose to make the foods I ate at the time. It wasn’t until 2015 that I tried my first meat alternative product which completely changed my perspective. It helped me to convince friends and family that a vegan diet could consist of more than just rice and vegetables. While I definitely promote a balanced and alkaline diet, I am very determined to show people a different side of veganism by offering it in the form of fast food. I want my business to help shift the eating paradigm into people making decisions that will have a better impact on our body, the environment, and animals.
WTF! currently delivers to the Metro Atlanta area in addition to being vendors at various events. My business does a lot of events with Raury, who has been one of WTF!’s biggest supporters. WTF! is regularly at his monthly party, The Grand Parle. We’ve also done events at Apache Cafe and Peters Street Station. I plan to focus on booking more events to increase brand awareness. Currently, WTF! has a Midnight Munch menu available from 11 pm to 3 am for the late-night crowd. I realized there was a lack of quality late-night options, especially vegan, so I created a delicious solution.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road but anything great is never easy. A businessman I look up to, Jay Morrison, said: “the struggle is guaranteed but success isn’t”. It’s that quote that pushes me. Obstacles and challenges are inevitable but it’s up to me as the CEO of my business to handle those situations in stride. There’s no secret to success. It just requires hard work, consistency, and persistence. You can have the best idea in the world but it’s invaluable if work isn’t applied. I only believe in results. Every loss is a lesson to help me make smarter decisions in the future.
Some days, I question my path because of a lack of support from those closest to me. A lot of people talk and say they want to help you but are ghosts when that time comes. I appreciate these “struggles” because they strengthen me. They help me to understand the importance of self-reliance. Nobody will ever believe in your dream as much as you do. That’s not negative, just fact. Some days, the only thing that keeps things going forward is knowing the greatness that is being built.
Operating a food business definitely isn’t the easiest so patience is always appreciated. As a result, I make sure I work hard every day to become a better business owner. Creating a quality customer experience is my top priority.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with WTF! (Vegan Fast Food) – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
WTF! specializes in vegan fast food items that are soy-free. We only use high quality and carefully selected ingredients. All of the produce are 100% organic, we only use avocado or grapeseed oil, nothing contains high fructose corn syrup, all of the condiments are organic, and we only use Himalayan pink salt. The goal is to offer fast food but made consciously with better ingredients.
Our menu items also have very unique combinations that can’t be found anywhere, vegan or not. We’re known for our specialty fries such as our Cajun Shrimp Fries (fries topped with cajun shrimp and our cajun cheez sauce), Unchikn Fries (fries loaded with hot lemon pepper unchikn and ranch), and some of the best chili cheez fries you’ll ever eat. We also offer vegan shrimp tacos with homemade baja sauce and slaw, shrimp burgers, and we have a 3/4lb triple cheezburger topped with chili cheez fries called the “Eff It”. We even have a doughnut burger, the “Zo Burger”, with doughnuts made 100% from scratch.
Whether it’s the ingredients we use, our seasoning and flavor, or the menu options, I can confidently say that we are not like any other food business. WTF! is able to offer food packed with flavors but without the BS.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The next big goal is to obtain a food trailer or food truck. I am currently exploring different options as I try to figure out the best way to reach the next step. Whether it’s bootstrapping the business or crowdfunding, WTF! will be accessible via a mobile food vehicle in the near future. I have a lot of ideas to implement into the brand as the business grows. WTF! will be more than about eating as we will create an experience through food, art, and music. I also have plans to be involved in my community and promote entrepreneurship to children. I’m excited about introducing my business on a bigger scale to be apart of the change. I want WTF! to help people view veganism differently and plant a seed in others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/wonderfultastingfood
- Phone: 678-653-0669
- Email: mark@wonderfultastingfood.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderfultastingfood/
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