The reason I fit the Zion Bank award category is that the food truck industry and chefs in general are predominantly men. There are few, women food truck owners in the United States. I am an African – American female, living in Idaho, serving soul food from a food truck. You really can’t get any more out of the box than that? But that is my personality. I have never been a follower. There is less than .9% African American living in Idaho. I feel at home here now because everyone here is nice and I have lived here since 1997. Idaho is also a great place to raise kids. My son was 4 when we moved here and Idaho is all he knows.
I graduated from Okaloosa Walton College in Niceville, Florida with and Associates degree and Northwest Nazarene University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Sciences. I actually finished 2.5 years of nursing school before figuring out food was more of a passion than care giving I am the first in my family to go to college and actually get a degree.
I am a single parent to a 20 year old boy named Daniel. He is attending college at CWI and works part time at BSU. My parents moved in with me 6 years ago and I have a dog named Beethoven Deuteronomy Thomas. So besides running a business I am juggling a lot at home as well.
After being married for 20 years to an Air Force soldier, I got a divorce 7 years ago. One thing I learned over that time is that with my ex being deployed quite often, it taught me to be independent and stand on my own two feet. I learned how to handle situations as an Air Force wife that most spouses never have to deal with. Deployments, moving often, changing jobs and schools when the military member gets orders to another base, always making new friends, and being away from family etc are all drawbacks. The perks are that I have traveled the world and visited over 30 countries. I lived in New Jersey, Michigan, Maryland, Florida, Iceland, Germany and Idaho. I love to travel and look forward to the days when I retire and will take an around the world cruise. During the summer, usually June through October I set up my concession stand at Gowen field and I go to Mt. home Air Force base for special events as well. It warms my heart to get the troops good food instead of MREs when they are in field training, I come from a family rich in military history. My father was a Marine, My ex husband was Air force and my step dad is Navy.
I volunteer for many events and to many organizations. I am open during the week at the Boise Rescue mission warehouse parking lot on 24th
help them out as well. I donate food to the shelters, especially City Light for Women and Children because women’s issues are near and dear to my heart. I hired and mentored a young lady from the shelter last year as well who could not be employed because of her criminal record. During the holidays I donated over 500 dinner rolls for the Thanksgiving dinners given to low income and homeless that BRM feeds each year. The enclosed list states several charities I have donated time and /or food to. I believe that I am blessed to be a blessing.
I am also mentoring the culinary students at a local high school. I recently went there and taught them how to prepare soul food and we came up with a menu that they served to the public. It was a huge success. I came back a second time when they prepared it and the head chef said my menu brought in the largest amount of guest for any menu he has ever had!
In the food truck business I have learned that being mobile has its advantages and disadvantages. Such as not having insulation in the winter that my pipes froze up, no stationary store space, and having a smaller kitchen are the disadvantages. But, being mobile is a huge advantage because I can go to the crowds if they don’t come to me and I can take the truck most anywhere. Another advantage is the cost to start up; it is much lower in cost to do a food truck than a full restaurant. I feel like I have succeeded in letting people know who I am. Showing them my integrity and keeping my quality and standards high and Fairview. They allow me to sit on their property and I in turn have enabled me to gather an extensive clientele base. Repeat customers are who I want to have. Once you make them happy with service, a smile and offer good food at a good price, you have gained a long term client.
In conclusion, I believe if your give of your talents, time and tithe all things will fall into place. Put God and family first and the rule,” do unto others” are very important principles for me. I have an excellent support team of friends, family and mentors. Especially META, SBA and the Women’s Business Center, Local impact zone group and many others who have invested time and energy to help me succeed.
Thank you in advance for consideration.
Yvonne Anderson-Thomas
Brown Shuga Soul Food
Chef Yvonne's Achievements
Urban Liaisons Magazine
Idaho Business Review
Voted Best food truck 2013 Idaho Statesmen
Feed military troops at Gowen field and Mt. Home Air Force Base June thru October- 2011, 2012 2013
Sing once a month for Touchmark at Meadow Lake Village Retirement Chapel service
Participant in several Festivals each year, some entry fees paid go to local charities such as:
Soul Food festival
Music Festival
Baker, Oregon Miners Jubilee
Beer Festival
Idaho Business League Shows
Food Truck Rallies- Boise
Food truck Rallies –Nampa
Emmett Cherry Festival
Green Expo
Eagle Island festival
Hell’s Canyon Motorcycle
Hyde Park Street faire
Took food truck to prison in Kuna to feed security workers
Catered Love Inc. Annual Fundraising Banquet
Catered Sterling Savings Bank annual picnic
Catered for the SBA SCORE annual picnic- 2011,12 and 14
Zoo Zoo Winery
Treefort Music Festival
St.Chappell Winery grape harvest
Bittner Vineyard-Sunny Slope wine fest
Williamson Winery
Payette Brewery
Slanted Rock Brewery
Mentor and Dining Room Teacher to Culinary Students at Renaissance High School
Boise Rescue mission gets all tips from Fairview location, and extra food left from caterings-currently located on the BRM warehouse parking lot
Consultant for Capital Christian Church’s kitchen
Chef’s Affair 2012 and 2013 participant, donated complete backyard BBQ to benefit the Boise Food Bank
Member of the Food truck Rally group
Hospitality committee for Football teams at Lowell Scott Jr. High and Centennial High school
Soup Tweet participant 2011,12 ,13,14- Charity event – {4 gallons of soup donated each event}
Regular cooking demo appearances on Channel 7 KTVB and KBOI channel 2
Voted 2nd Best BBQ by the Boise Weekly
Winner at Eagle BBQ Competition 5th Place out of 50
Women’s Business Center panel speaker on Customer Service-Entrepreneurship Day in Idaho March 2012
Selected to be a Highlight biz for the Women’s Biz Center- 2014
Winner Trailblazer award, Woman of the Year from NAWBO 2013
Member of Buy Idaho
Member of Local Impact Zone
Participant in Idaho Business league functions
Participant in Meridian ETC workshops
Donate Easter eggs and Candy to Capital Christian Harvest festivals and Easter egg hunts
Mentioned in Published articles in:
Idaho statesmen
Boise Weekly
Idaho Magazine
Treats and Tragedy’s review
