Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Harris.
Hi Janice, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How Jada’s Tasty Kitchen Began
In 2020, my life changed forever.
After working for a pharmaceutical company for six and a half years, I was unexpectedly fired. It was one of the most discouraging moments of my life because I had given that job everything I had. I worked overtime, stayed dedicated, and always made sure customers received their medications accurately and on time. I truly believed that hard work and loyalty would always pay off.
About a month and a half later, I started working for another pharmaceutical company. I was excited for a fresh start, but just two months later, I was fired again without being given a reason. I showed up to work on time every day, did my job well, and treated everyone with kindness. Outside of work, I was doing some of my coworkers’ hair and selling homemade dinners. I remember my supervisor asking me, “Why do you even need this job if you’re doing all those other things?” That question stayed with me. It made me feel like my ambition and drive were being questioned instead of celebrated.
After that second job ended, I had a heartfelt conversation with God. I prayed, “Lord, I don’t want to work for anyone else anymore. I’ve been working since I was 12 years old, and every job I’ve ever had, I gave it my all. Please show me another way.”
I was fired on July 3, 2020, during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 27, I received my EIN. Then, on August 9, I took every dollar I had and invested it in myself. I drove 14 hours to Fitzgerald, Georgia, to purchase a food truck because the wait in Kansas City was 16 to 24 weeks, and I knew I couldn’t afford to wait.
On August 29, 2020, Jadabay’s Tasty Kitchen officially opened for business. What started off as a partnership I later rebranded the business to Jada’s Tasty Kitchen, doing business as (DBA) Jadabay’s Tasty Kitchen. While the name changed the mission never changed to serve delicious food with love, excellence, and a heart for my community.
What started as a leap of faith became my purpose. Since opening, I’ve been living my dream. I started this journey with a business partner, but for the past year, I’ve operated my food truck mostly on my own about 80% of the time with the love and support of my family and friends.
Looking back, I now realize that what felt like rejection was actually God’s redirection. Losing those jobs wasn’t the end of my story it was the beginning of the life He had planned for me all along.
Today, I’m not just serving food. I’m serving hope, inspiration, and proof that faith, perseverance, and believing in yourself can turn your greatest setback into your greatest blessing.
Jada’s Tasty Kitchen, doing business as Jadabay’s Tasty Kitchen, was born from faith, built through perseverance, and continues to thrive because God had a bigger plan for my life. My story is living proof that when one door closes, God will open another that’s greater than you ever imagined.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. Entrepreneurship has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding journeys of my life. Starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic came with uncertainty from day one. There were days when business was slow, equipment broke down unexpectedly, and I questioned whether I was making the right decisions. I’ve experienced financial setbacks, long hours, physical exhaustion, and the pressure of wearing every hat in the business—from owner and cook to cashier, marketer, cleaner, and accountant.
One of the biggest transitions came after five years in business. What started as a partnership eventually became solely my responsibility. I became the sole proprietor of Jada’s Tasty Kitchen, doing business as Jadabay’s Tasty Kitchen. That transition brought new challenges, but it also revealed strengths I didn’t know I had. Today, I operate my food truck primarily on my own, with the support of my family and friends when needed.
There were moments when I wanted to give up, but my faith kept me grounded. Every obstacle taught me something valuable, and every setback became a lesson that made me a stronger business owner. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because those struggles shaped the person and entrepreneur I am today.
My road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been worth every mile.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner and sole proprietor of Jada’s Tasty Kitchen, doing business as Jadabay’s Tasty Kitchen, a mobile food business specializing in homemade comfort food with a gourmet twist. My menu is inspired by family recipes and made-from-scratch flavors that bring people together. Whether it’s our pasta, wings, burgers, fish, or signature soul food dishes, every meal is prepared with passion, consistency, and love.
What I’m most proud of is that I built this business from the ground up with faith, determination, and hard work. I took a leap of faith during one of the most uncertain times in our country’s history, and 6 years later, I’m still standing, proving that with perseverance, resilience, and God’s guidance, anything is possible.
What sets me apart is the personal experience I create for every customer. I don’t just serve food—I build relationships. I know many of my customers by name, remember their favorite orders, pray with them testify and treat everyone who visits my truck like family. My goal is for every person to leave not only satisfied with an amazing meal but feeling seen, appreciated, and welcomed.
I’m also proud to be a role model for others who have faced setbacks. My journey is proof that losing a job doesn’t mean losing your purpose. I’ve turned rejection into opportunity, and I hope my story inspires others to believe in themselves, trust God’s timing, and never give up on their dreams.
At Jada’s Tasty Kitchen, we’re not just serving meals we’re serving faith, family, community, and unforgettable experiences, one plate at a time.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I believe the food industry will continue to evolve around convenience, technology, and authenticity. Customers want more than just a great meal they want an experience. They want to know the story behind the business, support local entrepreneurs, and feel a personal connection with the people serving them.
For Jada’s Tasty Kitchen, doing business as Jadabay’s Tasty Kitchen, the future is incredibly exciting. Soon, we will be opening a dine-in restaurant, allowing our customers to enjoy the same homemade comfort food they love in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. While the food truck will always be where our journey began, this next chapter represents growth, answered prayers, and years of hard work finally coming full circle.
Looking ahead, I also plan to expand our catering services, create more community partnerships, mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, and continue creating opportunities for others. I want Jada’s Tasty Kitchen to become more than a restaurant I want it to become a place where people gather, celebrate, make memories, and feel like family.
No matter how much the industry changes, one thing will never change: my commitment to serving quality food, treating every customer with love and respect, and giving God all the glory. This is only the beginning, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.
Pricing:
- Hand Pattied seasoned Beef burgers with fries $15
- My delicious Chicken Philly with frirs$15
- My Southern-style Chicken Fried Rice Meal $22
- My soul food meals $25
- My delicious pasta started at $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jadastastykitchen.com
- Instagram: jadas_tasty_kitchen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1MEgf3YvuH/
