Rising Stars: Meet LATASHA TEASLEY of ATLANTA

Today we’d like to introduce you to LATASHA TEASLEY.

Hi LATASHA, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been shaped by resilience, love and purpose. Professionally, I serve as an Asst. Apartment Manager, a role that allows me to support families and create stable, welcoming communities. Alongside that, I am the founder of MaryJo’s Soul, a small but growing catering service rooted in comfort, culture, and connection.

I began cooking during one of the most difficult seasons of my life-the loss of my sister. Cooking became my therapy and my refuge. What started as a way to cope with the grief slowly transformed into a passion and calling. Preparing meals brought me peace, and seeing the smiles and joy on other’s faces reminded me that love can still be shared even through loss. Today, I continue to grow both professionally and creatively, using food and service as ways to heal, uplift, and bring people together.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am today has not been easy — at times it felt nearly impossible. I’ve faced breast cancer, the loss of a job I remained committed to even during my illness, the loss of my home during that season, and the heartbreaking passing of my sister, grandmother, and father. Each experience added another layer of grief, and there were moments when I truly felt like giving up.

What carried me through was my faith. I was reminded that it’s okay to surrender to the process — to rest, to grieve, and to feel — but never to quit. During that time, cooking became my healing space. It allowed me to turn pain into purpose and pour love back into the world when my own heart felt broken. That journey ultimately inspired my catering service, Mary Jo Soul — a brand rooted in comfort, resilience, and soulful cooking — reflecting the love, strength, and generosity my sister and grandmother stood for.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear several professional hats, but service is at the heart of everything I do. I work as an Assistant Community Manager, where I focus on creating safe, welcoming communities and supporting residents beyond just housing. I take pride in being hands-on, compassionate, and approachable, ensuring people feel seen, heard, and valued in the place they call home.

Alongside my management career, I am the founder of MaryJo’s Soul, a growing catering service specializing in Southern comfort food prepared with love, tradition, and intention. I’m known for creating meals that feel like home — dishes that bring people together and leave a lasting impression long after the plates are cleared.

What I’m most proud of is building something meaningful despite life’s obstacles. I didn’t begin with a large budget or perfect circumstances — I began with faith, resilience, and a desire to heal while uplifting others. What sets me apart is the heart behind my work. Every meal I prepare, every interaction I have, and every community I help manage is shaped by my lived experience, my love for people, and my commitment to serving with purpose.

How do you define success?
I define success as living with purpose, faith, and impact — not just achievement. Success, to me, is waking up each day knowing that my work helps others, whether that’s creating a safe and supportive community for residents or preparing meals that bring comfort and connection to a table. It’s about growth through adversity, staying committed when the road is difficult, and turning challenges into something meaningful.

Success is also balance — being able to serve others while honoring my own healing and journey. If I am making a difference, walking in purpose, and building something rooted in love and integrity, then I consider myself successful.

Pricing:

• Meal Prep-145.00 per week
• 1/2 pans of vegetables 75.00-100.00
• Full pan Vegetable 125.00
• 1\2 pan of meats 100.00-300.00
• Full meat pan 150.00-500.00

Contact Info:

• Instagram: maryjo_soul

Image Credits
Michelle Render

Nature McClendon