Three Lexington Women
Sometime last winter I took a whole prototype package of the beginnings of the Nourished concept to Holly Hill Inn. This is the original Ouita Michel restaurant in Midway, Kentucky; and she had invited me there to show her this idea of Nourished. I sat it all down in front of her, explained what it was and basically asked, “what do you think?”
She affirmed every single thing on that table. I’d made three different soups, designed and bought a stamp to put on my containers and bags, packed some flowers in there. Picked up bread from my friend Eryn. She had a staff member sit there with us and empowered her to give input. Then she took out a guest check pad and started jotting down potential financials and subscription options that I could one day provide. All of this with enthusiasm and direct practicality, she educated me on about a million things in thirty minutes. Ouita believed in me and was not afraid to show it. I left there feeling like, “This is it! I’m doing it!”
This past Summer I was grabbing a sandwich from Sunrise Bakery and Kristy was out giggling with the customers, spreading her joy all around. We got to talking about my concept — she’d already ordered a week package for one of her employees at this point — and as she was standing really close to me, hand on my shoulder, paying attention to every single word that I spoke she said, “You are doing really good work.” She has done this about a million times since, involving me in projects that we share passions in and always, always encouraging this big move of mine.
I’ve been watching and laughing with Toa Green since her early Thai & Mighty food truck days and eventual Lexington staple that is Crank & Boom Ice Cream. She has really done it, gone for it — and I’ve gotten to witness the entire process because of the community love that is Lexington, Kentucky. To watch her sling ice cream under a purple tent and serve hot noodle bowls in the rain. The opening and closing of a space to focus on another. Seeing the ice cream in stores and then eating a potluck dinner in the upstairs Distillery District space. Ultimately, she is a mom of two just WORKIN’ it and watching dreams fall into place. Just paying attention to what she is up to is exquisitely inspiring. She makes me feel like I CAN.
These three women in food, here in our little town — Y’ALL, if at any second where I’m feelin’ all who do I think I am trying to do this — I can always remind myself of Ouita, Kristy and Toa. Always. Not only are the very existence of their businesses an inspiration, but all three of them are die hard cheerleaders for one another and their ideas. And they’ve cheered my dreams on since the idea was born.
They have taught me about togetherness. How participating in that can bring on success for way more than just one person. I’ve seen them cook for each other and eat each other’s food and take photos and give speeches on how absolutely wonderful their fellow women chef friends are. It is what I want my friendships to look like and it is what I want my own business to feel like. Their way of doing life fuels my own.
Thought it could just be nice to write them a love letter since they are so, for ALWAYS a lack of a better word: inspiring.
