Annual review of the catering business
Wow, what a year 2024 was for the catering business. Now that 2024 is in the rear view window, I’ve been spending some time reflecting on everything that’s happened—the wins that made my heart swell, the struggles that tested my patience, and the lessons that have me looking ahead with a fresh perspective. I’ve always believed in keeping it real, so here’s an honest look at how things went this year.
The Highs: What Went Well
Let’s start with the good stuff—because there’s a lot to be proud of this year.
We hit big goals. At the beginning of the year, I set a revenue goal to replace my previous job’s income. We hit that (and then some) by the end of December. That’s huge! Catering events made up most of that, and sauce production brought in more.
New flavors, new fans. This year, I introduced two new sauces: a burger sauce and a wing sauce. They’ve been a hit! Hearing people say things like, “This sauce belongs on everything” never gets old.
Nonprofits stole my heart. Catering for nonprofits has always felt special to me, and this year, we worked with 25 incredible Northeast Ohio organizations. Offering them a discount wasn’t just a business move—it was a way to give back and be part of something bigger.
Feeling the love. Whether it’s someone raving about the soul food-inspired menus or sharing how our sauces remind them of home, those connections keep me going. It’s more than just food; it’s culture, it’s family, it’s community.
The Lows: What Didn’t Go So Well
But, let’s be real. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses. Here’s where things got messy:
Staffing was rough. I’ll be honest, finding reliable help for catering events was a constant headache. My core team worked their butts off (and I’m so grateful for them), but not having enough hands sometimes meant we were scrambling. It’s not the kind of stress I want to carry into 2025.
Doing too much at once. This year, I juggled catering events, sauce production, and researching a marketing course for food entrepreneurs. It’s exciting to build something bigger, but man, it’s a lot. There were days I felt stretched so thin I thought I’d snap.
Website delays. I had big plans to roll out a redesigned website that better shows how we support nonprofits, but it just didn’t happen. Life and business got in the way, and now it’s on the 2025 to-do list.
The Lessons: What I Learned
2024 taught me a lot—some lessons I’d rather not have learned the hard way, but here we are:
You can’t do it all. I’ve got big dreams, but trying to do everything at once isn’t sustainable. Next year, I’m focusing on what matters most and asking for help when I need it.
People make the difference. Whether it’s hiring better staff or leaning on my community, it’s clear I can’t do this alone. Building a strong, reliable team is going to be a priority.
Stay flexible. Things don’t always go as planned (hello, website delays), but rolling with the punches has been key to keeping things moving.
Looking Ahead to 2025
So, what’s next? Here’s what I’m dreaming about for the new year:
Growing sauce sales, including getting our products into retail stores.
Finally launching that redesigned website to better connect with our nonprofit clients.
Launching the marketing course to help other catering businesses thrive.
Sharing more modern soul food recipes on the blog—and maybe even starting work on that devotional cookbook I’ve been thinking about.
To everyone who supported us this year—whether you booked us for an event, bought a bottle of sauce, or just shared a kind word—thank you. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me. Here’s to a flavorful, meaningful, and impactful 2025!
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Regina is a writer, homeschooling mom, and owner of a soul food catering business. She is the host of the Pray to Play podcast, where she shares practical tips and heartfelt advice for parents navigating the busy world of athletics. A contributor to several publications, including Tracie Miles' Living Unbroken book study, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.
