Raven Fleming shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Raven, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I believe many people are secretly struggling with the weight of feeling unseen. Day in and day out, doing their best in life, work, and relationships but wondering if it’s truly enough. We live in a time where success is constantly measured by visibility, and that can make people feel overlooked or unappreciated when they’re actually doing incredible things behind the scenes. A lot of people carry silent battles with doubt and exhaustion but keep smiling through it. Though this isn’t the healthiest of ways to cope with these unspoken struggles, it’s a habit that’s been taught through observation, and picked up from various environments that we’ve been exposed to throughout life.
Another major silent struggle I see, especially among creatives and entrepreneurs, is imposter syndrome. It’s that quiet feeling that creeps in even when you’re qualified, gifted, and passionate, the voice that whispers, “Who am I to do this?” or “Maybe I’m not as good as they think I am.” I’ve seen it in others, and I’ve felt it myself at times. It doesn’t always come from a lack of confidence, sometimes it’s rooted in humility and the fear of stepping into something bigger than what you’ve known. Imposter syndrome can make people downplay their accomplishments, delay opportunities, or constantly seek validation. What’s wild is that so many of the most talented people I’ve met are the ones who wrestle with it the most because they care deeply about their craft and want to honor it well.
The truth is, no one is ever “fully ready.” We all learn, grow, and refine ourselves as we go. The key is realizing that you’re not an imposter in your own purpose, but instead you’re evolving within it. I remind myself often that every great thing I’ve built started with faith, not perfection. Another thing I keep rooted within my mind as well, is not “Practice makes perfect” but instead that “Practice makes progress”. That mindset shift helps silence that internal doubt and keeps me grounded in gratitude instead of fear.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Raven Fleming, and I’m the owner and creator behind Ravens Cravings, a Kansas City based catering and baking business built on faith, creativity, and love. We specialize in catering, baked treats, and private dining experiences designed to bring people together through food and meaningful memories. What makes Ravens Cravings unique is that everything we create carries intention, each plate and dessert is made to evoke warmth, nostalgia, and connection. Our slogan, “Serving up a perspective changing experience,” isn’t just a saying; it’s how we operate. I believe food is more than flavor, and what you eat, it’s emotion, memory, and a form of ministry. And not only that, it’s an experience that tells a story, stirs emotion, and brings people together. Through every meal, I want people to taste love, faith, and the story of resilience that built this brand.
At Ravens Cravings, we believe that love and memorable food have a special way of bringing people to the table. So often, when our matriarchs, loved ones, or dear friends pass on, those tables once filled with laughter, stories, and warmth start to feel empty. One of the main purposes of our business and mission is to help rebuild those connections through the meals and desserts we serve. Every dish is designed to remind people of the joy, love, and comfort that once filled their homes and hearts. We want our food to do more than satisfy hunger, we want it to reignite cherished memories and create new ones in the process. It’s about helping people feel connected again, both to one another and to the moments that shaped them.
Beyond that, we’re working toward using our business as a vehicle to serve the less fortunate in our community. It’s been a long-term vision of mine to build programs through Ravens Cravings that provide meals and comfort to those who need it most. Whether it’s through community dinners, food drives, or collaborative outreach, we want to make sure the love that inspires our brand also reaches the tables of people who may not have one. In everything we do, from the recipes we create to the experiences we curate, our mission remains the same: to serve up a perspective changing experience, one that nourishes both the body and the soul.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe what truly breaks the bonds between people is the lack of communication, understanding, and compassion. Not just in those areas, but patience, empathy, and genuine listening as well. Somewhere along the way, people stop feeling heard, valued, or seen, and that creates space for distance, misunderstanding, and emotional walls to build up. Many of us are walking around with unspoken pain, hurt feelings, or expectations that were never communicated, and over time that can quietly erode even the strongest relationships. When we rush through connections or carry pride into our relationships, we miss the beauty of truly seeing one another. That distance can grow fast when life gets busy or pain goes unspoken.
Another major factor that breaks bonds is the lack of accountability and ownership. When people avoid taking responsibility for their actions, or for how they’ve made others feel, it leaves wounds open that could have otherwise been healed through honesty and humility. Accountability doesn’t just repair relationships; it restores trust. It’s about saying, “I see how that affected you, and I want to do better.” Without that step, healing can’t fully take place.
On the other side of that, what truly restores bonds is forgiveness. Not only towards others, but towards yourself as well. Forgiveness has a way of freeing both sides. It doesn’t erase what happened, but it allows grace to flow where pain once lived. When we learn to forgive, we give ourselves permission to let go of bitterness and make room for peace, understanding, and reconnection. Grace has a way of softening what ego or hurt once hardened. It allows us to forgive, to rebuild, and to reconnect beyond what was lost. Whether in family, friendship, or business, I’ve learned that showing grace, being willing to start again, and remembering why the bond mattered in the first place can bring restoration to even the most strained relationships.
I’ve also learned that true restoration happens when both love and accountability are present. Love without accountability can become enabling, and accountability without love can feel harsh. But when both are balanced, paired with forgiveness and an open heart, then people can find their way back to one another, stronger and more understanding than before.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Struggle taught me how to hear God clearly in the silence. When things slow down, when doors close, or when life feels uncertain, that’s where I’ve discovered the deepest lessons about who I am and what I’m capable of. Struggling taught me things that success never could. It taught me patience, perspective, and the importance of building strength from the inside out. Success often shows you the rewards, but struggle shows you the lessons that make those rewards last. Through every challenge, I learned that growth doesn’t come from what’s easy, it comes from what stretches you beyond your comfort zone.
There were seasons where I had to fail repeatedly just to understand what would finally work. Some days felt like pure insanity from testing ideas, recipes, business systems, and marketing strategies over and over again, trying to make sense of what aligned and what didn’t. But those moments of trial and error built resilience and sharpened my discernment in ways that books and quick wins never could.
I had to learn to trust myself and my process even when everything around me said it wasn’t working fast enough. That self-trust didn’t happen overnight, it came from falling, regrouping, and trying again with more intention each time. Because I jumped into my passion headfirst, I had to learn the business side differently. I spent countless hours studying and teaching myself the steps I was never formally taught. That process forced me to become both student and teacher, learning in real time for myself and for those who began to see a mentor in me before I even saw one in myself.
Struggle revealed my endurance, my faith, and my calling to serve others through transparency. It showed me that what looks like failure is often preparation, a refining process that builds wisdom, empathy, and true confidence. And more than anything, it taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about always choosing to rise again, stronger and wiser than before. Success celebrates you, but struggle shapes you. It humbles you, disciplines you, and reveals your true motives. Through my challenges, I’ve learned patience, discernment, and how to build on a foundation that can’t be shaken. Struggle taught me that even when I don’t feel ready, I’m still chosen, and that the process itself is a part of my preparation.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that presentation outweighs purpose, that as long as something looks good, it’s enough. But I’ve learned that what’s behind the work matters just as much as what’s on the plate. You can’t fake passion, love, or authenticity people taste it, feel it, and remember it. My industry also tells itself is that success comes from constant visibility rather than authentic connection. There’s this unspoken pressure that if you’re not posting every day or constantly showing your work, you’re falling behind. But the truth is, some of the best ideas, recipes, and creative breakthroughs are born in stillness. In the splendor of solitude and its refinement, true creativity blooms. The kind of creativity your audience can truly feel and appreciate because it was cultivated with intention, not performance.
Another lie is that constant hustle is the only path to success. In the culinary world, there’s often pressure to move fast and never rest, but rest is where creativity breathes. I’ve found that slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum, but instead it means gaining clarity and producing work that truly reflects your purpose. Lastly, there’s the lie that says customer service is optional or secondary. I believe that learning and mastering proper customer service is a cornerstone of success, yet many people underestimate it when building their business structure or strategy. We are the face of our companies, the living brand advocates for what we do. Every interaction, message, and delivery speaks on behalf of who we are before we even say a word.
You never truly know what someone is going through when they reach out, or how they were referred to you. That’s why I believe your first interaction is always their last impression. Each experience should be seamless and meaningful, reducing customer effort and providing reassurance from beginning to end, no matter how many questions or inquiries come your way. The goal isn’t just to make a sale, but to make people feel seen, respected, and valued throughout their entire journey with you.
In this industry, consistency and heart go hand in hand. It’s not about chasing trends, it’s about maintaining integrity and providing genuine service that honors the people who choose you. Because when love, patience, and excellence meet, they create an experience that can’t be replicated, and that’s where true longevity begins.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
What I’m doing today that won’t pay off for years to come is laying the foundation for longevity, not just for myself, but for the community, my mentees, and the next generation that will come after me. Everything I’m building through Ravens Cravings is designed with purpose and patience, because true impact takes time to grow. I’m investing in the systems, resources, and relationships that will one day blossom into opportunities much larger than myself. Legacy investments, not just profit. Every recipe, every client experience, every lesson I pour into my brand right now is a seed being planted for long-term growth. I’m building a foundation that can outlast me, one that my future children, family, or mentees can build upon.
The work I’m doing now will eventually help create jobs, rebuild lives, and invest back into the community that has supported me from the start. My vision extends beyond catering and desserts, it’s about empowerment and transformation. I’m working to rebuild and rewrite strategies that have been relied on for years, reshaping the way we learn, teach, and create financial wealth from the work of our hands. The goal is to build something that will pour back into our neighborhoods, one community and one city at a time. I’m also documenting and developing systems, recipe guides, business structures, and teaching materials that will allow Ravens Cravings to expand beyond my personal hands-on work. The goal isn’t just to feed people but to build something that nourishes generations spiritually, creatively, and professionally.
A big part of that legacy also lives within my mentees. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of working with aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives who look to me for guidance, and it’s been a humbling experience. The lessons, practices, and insights I’m teaching them now are not just for their growth, but for the generations they’ll reach later. They’ll be able to take what they’ve learned under my mentorship and pass it forward to future mentees who will join us along the way. That cycle of knowledge, encouragement, and leadership is what keeps legacy alive it multiplies impact far beyond what one person can do alone.
So when I think about the next 7–10 years, I see more than just business growth. I see empowerment taking root, people finding purpose, communities healing, and youth realizing that they have the power to build something meaningful from the gifts in their own hands. That’s the kind of legacy I’m working toward, one that sustains, uplifts, and transforms lives for generations to come. I want Ravens Cravings to represent more than great food. I want it to represent faith in action, a testimony that dreams fueled by discipline and divine guidance always rise.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravens.cravings?igsh=MWZrdjJpYnhqeDR1ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17DrupP3Z1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: Airbnb Experiences: https://www.airbnb.com/services/6073423?viralityEntryPoint=179&s=76
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ravens_cravings?_t=ZT-90uUdfpFGAA&_r=1
Image Credits
Maison AR
Daniel Ross
