Today we’d like to introduce you to James L
James, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello my name is James L. Aka Swagg Kitchen. I was diagnosed at the age of 10(after my grandfather passed when I was 8) for clinical depression. Was bullied majority of my adolescent life about my looks, weight, and being sheltered which added more to the mental illness I fought. But back in those days mental Illness wasn’t talked about. So I took in all emotions for decades. One day I was on Pinterest and tried a one pot recipe and from there I was doing trail and error. Teaching myself on proper techniques and the food industry. After of years of smoking and drinking and hiding my emotions behind adult activities, cooking became my vice. During the pandemic I found myself cooking more for social media and regardless of the backlash or negative comments and reactions of social media I still built a presence to be able to sell food to family and friends, which built who I am today Swagg Kitchen. Self taught chef with a catering company and also building a nonprofit to help kids who fight mental illness find a different way of battling those challenges.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
it’s been a difficult road from personal issues with finances to triggering times to my illness. Suffering from clinical depression, anxiety, and paranoia I found myself looking for validation and not trusting the process of not only my life but the food I’ve cooked. I’ve wasted a lot of food from my own thoughts during times of depression.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
After failing to land a career for decades coming into the food industry has brought me so much joy. I originally started doing loaded fries in 2020 as Da Fry King Atl and made a great name for myself then someone came around with a similar name. So instead of fighting a name and only produce one product(Loaded Fries) Swagg Kitchen was born. And after seeing the same scenario I endured with kids going through mental illness I wanted to help them. I wanted them to see that killing themselves doesn’t have to be an option and show them that they can find joy rather professionally or just a hobby with Swagg’s Green Ribbon Project.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I learned is no one will see your vision like you. Validation is temporary but self confidence is forever. So believe in you because you can’t and won’t please everyone. 1 out of 5 customers will have an issue but don’t let it deter you.
Pricing:
- Menu has different options that range from $10-$26
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@swaggkitchen_
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swaggkitchen_/profilecard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BKxABTEyo/
- Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/swaggkitchen.bsky.social
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@swaggkitchen_
