Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Wright
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2004, I founded Dinner A’Fare, a meal kit delivery service that thrived for 20 years. With a passion for crafting recipes and helping families solve the daily question of “What’s for dinner?” I found immense joy in this venture. However, this spring, I decided it was time for a new chapter, and we closed our doors. This decision was heart-wrenching, especially as we received an overwhelming number of heartfelt emails from our 17,000 customers, many requesting a cookbook.
Surprisingly, I had never considered writing a cookbook until then. As I explored the idea, I realized there was a gap in the market for a cookbook dedicated to preparing and freezing family-sized meal kits—exactly what Dinner A’Fare specialized in. It makes so much sense. For instance, if you’re making Chicken Piccata, why not prepare a few extra and freeze them? How often do you buy a jar of capers and finish it before it dries up? Why not just use the whole bottle? It’s efficient, saves money, and by the third month, you could be cooking from scratch just a few days a month.
Inspired by this concept and our unique approach, I’m excited to announce my upcoming cookbook, Meal Kits Made Easy, which will feature over 200 recipes. Scheduled for release before the holidays, it’s designed to make your life easier and keep your freezer stocked with ready-to-go, delicious meals.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting the cookbook was sort of a new beginning for us, especially during a time when, for the first time, we had no steady income. This was scary. My husband, Ken, and I have always started businesses from the ground up rather than purchasing existing ones. What was next for us? This time, we explored buying a business, diving into different industries through podcasts to spark inspiration and decide whether we wanted another national venture or something more localized—definitely not in the food sector given the current inflation.
Then, an idea struck during a car trip to the beach. I was drifting in and out of sleep when Ken flipped through various podcasts and finally landing on one about an ex-NFL player in Texas who started a portable restroom company. Intrigued, I insisted we give it a listen. Ken was surprised but intrigued as we then binge-listened to dozens of episodes. I was hooked.
This enthusiasm was reinforced when I recalled an article on the projected growth in Forsyth County and our previous experiences in business that demonstrated a consistent need for portable restrooms and handwashing stations. This was the spark we needed to explore a new venture.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It is very important to me to feel good about the work we do. We’ve always given back to our community and we wanted to find a way that Patriot Portables could give back. We designed Patriot Portables from the ground up with intentional giving at it’s core. We pay our technicians and actual living wage and are also proud to partner with Wounded Warrior Project by donating a portion of our proceeds to their amazing cause.
We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch service and impeccably clean portable restrooms—they don’t have to be an eyesore or an unpleasant experience!
We’re also excited about introducing wedding-friendly units, including elegant black and white and Boho styles.
I recently shared with a friend my surprise at leaving the food industry; she cleverly responded, “Oh honey, you aren’t. Facts of life!”
How do you think about happiness?
Running a hyper-local business like Patriot Portables is a refreshing change from the national scope of Dinner A’Fare. It’s rewarding to network and engage with our community. Local businesses keep America running.
I love discovering the needs of builders, families hosting events, and businesses undergoing renovations.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mealkitsmadeeasy.com & Patriotportables.com
- Instagram: @patriotportables
Image Credits
Abbie Franklin
