Today we’d like to introduce you to Malore’ Johnson.
Malore’, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I’ve been in the culinary industry for a little over six years now professionally. I started off baking sweets in the Atlanta area and decorating cakes, cookies, cake pops etc. I’ve always loved sweet and savory though so I also did catering. I’ve cooked for large churches, company parties, funerals, weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties and baby showers and the list goes on!! I started to take a more plant-based approach when it came to my cooking style and catered more towards transitional diets from meat and dairy to a more whole foods diet. So naturally meal preps were my go to. I quickly fell in love with plants and decided to get my certification in herbalism and launched a tea line! I still have it and people still order it!.
I got connect with some holistic Chefs interning for them assisting in detox retreats, meal preps, cooking demos, tv appearances even food Styling! It was great! I had a blast! 2016 and 2017 was lit!! 2018 came around and I think that was a tough year for a lot of people. It was rollercoaster everything from a losing my car, my home of 5 years, unhealthy relationship, job was crazy, money was super tight, Family stuff…I mean I just couldn’t seem to get a grip of things lol. While all hell was breaking loose I was still determined to follow my dreams so I was auditioning for cooking shows like I’ve always done. I had auditions for MasterChef May 2019 and I killed it! I got really far in the casting process! I mean all the way to the last round before they invite you out to LA! And I got an email from the Casting director that basically said thank you for your time but we have decided not to cast you. Well by this point I had gotten so far I just knew I was going to LA! So guess what I quit my job and moved to Charlotte North Carolina. My cousin invited me out after I had been talking her ears off about all the hurdles I had been jumping over.
So I came out to Charlotte the Vegan scene was up and coming and Charlotte was developing some culture! When I found out that I didn’t get casted for MasterChef I gave myself about 48 hours to feel sorry for myself then I was like what’s next? My new amazing boyfriend who is so supportive and I started to brainstorm on what My next move was and I thought well I can make Vegan Hotdogs and put yummy delicious toppings on them give them cool names, help meat eaters reimagine food and know that they can have a delicious meal that is plant-based without dead animal protein. My boyfriend Darrell was like “yeah you should call it DAWG’ON VEGANS! I loved it!!! Instantly I created an Instagram page, we came up with like 5 Dawgs that night! I made a quick logo and started cooking, Styling the dawgs and taking pictures posting of them! I was already working this farmers market selling teas so I started my first hot Dawg stand there! I advertised very well so people were excited about this Vegan Hotdogs!!! It was crazy! We sold out that day too! It’s been history ever since we set up a few times a week now and do lots of pop-ups in Charlotte and Atlanta and people always come! But they come because the food is fun and delicious! It’s plant-based and worth it!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Man! Giving up pretty much everything! Not knowing what was going to happen. I literally just jumped into the universes pool of possibilities and trusted. I still a lot of times don’t know how certain things are going to get financed, or how I’m going to pull off feeding several crowds of people a week. But it always works out some kind of way! It may be right at the last second but it always works out!!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dawg’On Vegans – what should we know?
My company is called DAWG’ON VEGANS and we make Vegan Hotdogs! But it’s not just the basic bun dog ketchup and mustard. No, it’s a 100% plant-based Bratwurst on a kosher potato Roll. I’ve got nine different Dawgs and we just launched a new burger. We also have an assortment of sides like my honey hot Buffalo Cauliflower Wings and they are a hit!!! My most famous Dawg tho is the Tiki Tiki! It has Vegan Coconut Shrimp made from Konjac-Root, pineapple Polynesian Teriyaki sauce topped with red cabbage chipotle slaw! It’s really yummy!!! I’m most proud of this random crazy concepts ability to capture the cravings of something that is needed in our world today. I love when people truly enjoy my food! It warms my heart! What set’s DAWG’ON VEGANS apart is the fact that nobody is doing Dawgs the way we are! A lot of people will say you know how did you come up with all these flavors? Because they don’t really make sense but they work!!! I like to play with different styles of food and I love all kinds of flavors and Now I just put all the flavors I love onto of a Vegan Bratwurst!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh yeah! Absolutely! Let me tell you! Entrepreneurship is not for the weak-hearted and it’s definitely worth it! But I could NOT do any of this by myself! I’ve had so many people support me because they believe in me it’s humbling. My cousin and her husband let me live with them for free till I could get things going! My Mom and Dad are my longest supporters they always come through! My cousin Sharon who I just met this year, has dived in and helped me purchase tools that make this business flow smoothly. My King my biggest supporter, my numbers guy, my ideas machine, bestie, the love of my life Darrell has been so supportive I could get teary-eyed but I need to wrap this up! My brother and his wife has helped out several Times when I needed them my biological father even pitched into this concept. My Charlotte team Kaylan and Patrice who help me hold down events. And even my Atlanta team Ayana, Bakah and Neci! They help me with branding and creative aspects of my brand! All the people who provide spaces for people and businesses like mine to have some sustainability and really gives us a chance to showcase what we love to do! I’m honored and truly grateful down to the Last person who tastes my food and genuinely enjoyed it! All these people are blessings and I couldn’t do any of it without them!
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.DAWGONVEGANS.COM
- Email: dawgonvegans@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dawgonvegans?igshid=2a0qsgolikzw
Image Credit:
Logo- Hakaba Designed, Food Styling and Photo Malore Johnson
Pharod Thomas for the headshot
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