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Life and Work with Danica Turner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danica Turner.

Danica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started off with a desire to operate a food truck in Atlanta. I purchased and constructed my truck in Miami, where I’m from and relocated to Atlanta motivated. Once I got here discovered, I basically need a restaurant space in order to operate my truck. So I started cooking from home and selling food hand to hand in the Metro Atlanta area to beauty salons, barbershop, car dealerships basically any place with a group of people in need of food while they waited.

In November of 2018, I found a commissary with availability and was due to sign up the next day. That morning got a call from the parking lot where I parked my truck in Atlanta that my truck was involved in a hit and run by what looks like an 18 wheeler and was severely damaged. I cried for literally a day and a half but reality set in; the truck wasn’t currently making me any money so I needed to get back out there and sell those plates. The next day while on my route, I saw a restaurant for lease that I never noticed and called. I didn’t have any plans on owning a restaurant and didn’t have the business credit or enough money.

But when there is, “The Will, they’ll always A Way” not a will but in life, you need Your personal will to make away. My wife believed in me and decided to support this crazy idea that I had so we just leaped. We painted, put up wallpaper and was our own cook’s cashiers and managment all in one. Together we have successfully completed our first year in business as restaurateurs of “The Fill Up Station.”

Has it been a smooth road?
Everyone’s struggles will be different and the struggle is definitely real. If I could give any advice to anyone else desiring to be in business is first to believe in yourself. It took me two years too long because of fear. Finally, when my back was against the wall, it was fight or flight, I chose to fight. Then research, do your homework about your product or services, pros and cons, learn your consumers, test your market and your research. Then leap, like never before, fully prepared. Yes, you will afraid, you may have still had questions, but no matter how much money you have or how prepared you have to change somethings, adjust, and realign from the original idea but that’s not a bad thing. Then think win always and even with hiccups, I say to myself, “It’s all for my good”.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Fill-Up Station Restaurant – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a “Fast Casual” restaurant experience. Where customers may enjoy five star quality food and service that’s made to order, in the time of waiting to be seated or even order other notable establishments. We specialize in seafood, steak and chicken as you are paring your meal in yet a unique concept we call “BYOB”, build your own bowl. We have become very popular for our Non-Asian Eggrolls, they are all proteins and cheese no veggies unless you order veggies rolls. We are most proud of the welcoming ambiance our customers walk in on, the taste of our food and portion size, as well as our look and concept, “It’s unique and dope”.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I believe it’s still the misconception of equality, especially in certain industries, running a business being one. Alot if professional chefs are men, so when they see a woman, it’s hard to respect the fact we can maintain a full kitchen staff and not just remain as the cliche, “an at-home good cook”. Then the culture of the kitchen environment is still very masculine in conversations and atmosphere and when told to respect the people around them, they reply with, “its the culture “.

Pricing:

  • Large Custom salads starting at just $9
  • Caribbean Rice bowl with custom veggies and chicken starting at $13
  • Grilled or Fried Salmon or Lobster starting at just $7

Contact Info:

  • Address: THE FILL UP STATION RESTAURANT
    2740 Greenbriar Parkway SW Suite B-14
    Atlanta, GA 30331,
    #Food4Fuel
  • Website: Www.thefillupstation.com
  • Phone: 4047481799
  • Email: thefillupstation@gmail.com
  • Instagram: Thefillupstation
  • Facebook: Thefillupstation

Image Credit:
@TheFillUpStation

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