Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Fleming.
Hi Raven, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
If someone had asked me years ago where I thought my journey would lead, I probably would have simply said, “I want to own a restaurant.” Cooking was my first love. As a child, I was fascinated by watching my older brother experiment in the kitchen, studying cookbooks, learning recipes, and discovering how food had the ability to bring people together. My family, teachers, mentors, and community poured into that passion early, giving me opportunities to learn not only how to cook, but how to serve people with excellence.
In 2017, I took a leap of faith and officially began my entrepreneurial journey, accepting small catering orders and baking for friends, family, and coworkers. What started as a dream gradually became Ravens Cravings, a business built on the belief that every meal should create an experience and every customer should leave feeling cared for. Over the years I’ve expanded from desserts into catering, private dining, and creating memorable moments around the table.
What I didn’t realize when I started was that entrepreneurship would shape me just as much as I was shaping my business. There have been seasons that stretched me beyond what I thought I was capable of. I’ve experienced setbacks, uncertainty, health challenges, and moments where I questioned whether I was equipped for everything I felt called to do. Those seasons taught me discipline, patience, stewardship, and the importance of building a business that can withstand difficult moments. Looking back, I wouldn’t remove any of them because they developed the resilience and character I now carry into every opportunity.
Today, I see my work through a much bigger lens than I did when I first started. Food will always be at the heart of what I do, but my vision has expanded beyond catering. I’m building brands, writing children’s books that encourage emotional intelligence and confidence, developing educational resources, and creating businesses that I hope will leave a lasting impact on my community. Whether someone experiences my work through a catered event, a dessert, a book, or a future educational program, my goal is the same, to leave people better than I found them.
I’ve also learned that success isn’t measured only by revenue or recognition. It’s measured by the lives you touch, the opportunities you create for others, and the legacy you’re building one intentional decision at a time. I’m still very much in the middle of my story. There are dreams I’m actively working toward, serving large corporate clients and galas, expanding my businesses, publishing more books, and creating opportunities that extend far beyond myself. What excites me most isn’t how far I’ve come, but instead it’s knowing that every lesson, every challenge, and every small victory has been preparing me for where I’m headed next.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my journey, it’s that purpose often grows while you’re in motion. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Start where you are, stay committed to learning, and allow every season to prepare you for the next one. That’s exactly what my journey has done for me, and I believe it’s only the beginning.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think entrepreneurship is ever a completely smooth road, and my journey has certainly had its share of challenges. Building a business has required me to wear every hat imaginable, chef, baker, marketer, accountant, customer service representative, content creator, and sometimes even delivery driver. There have been moments when I questioned myself, experienced financial setbacks, navigated health challenges, and had to make difficult decisions about where to invest my time and energy.
One of my biggest lessons has been realizing that growth doesn’t always look like constant forward motion. Sometimes growth means slowing down, refining your systems, investing in yourself, or allowing a difficult season to strengthen your foundation before expanding. I’ve also learned that comparison can be one of the biggest distractions in entrepreneurship. Everyone’s timeline is different. Instead of focusing on where someone else is, I’ve learned to celebrate my own progress and stay committed to the vision God has placed on my life.
Those experiences have shaped how I lead my business today. They’ve taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of creating businesses that are built with intention instead of simply chasing quick success. Looking back, every challenge has prepared me to serve my clients with more empathy, wisdom, and excellence than I could have without those experiences.
We’ve been impressed with Ravens Cravings, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ravens Cravings was built around a simple belief, that memories can be created, and some recreated through food, one plate and one moment at a time. That’s where our slogan, “Serving Up a Perspective Changing Experience,” comes from. Whether we’re catering an intimate dinner, a wedding, a corporate gathering, or a celebration with family and friends, our goal is to create moments that bring people together.
We specialize in elevated comfort food, handcrafted desserts, and customized catering experiences designed around each client’s vision. Rather than offering a one size fits all menu, I enjoy collaborating with clients to create something that feels personal, memorable, and reflective of the occasion they’re celebrating.
One area I’m especially excited about is expanding our private chef and hospitality offerings. Through Airbnb Experience Services, I now have the opportunity to create in home dining experiences for travelers and local guests who want something more personal than a traditional restaurant meal. It’s another way to share hospitality while giving people a unique experience they’ll remember.
What sets Ravens Cravings apart isn’t just the food, it’s the intention behind it. I genuinely care about the people I serve. Every menu, every conversation, and every event is approached with the mindset that I’m helping create memories during some of life’s most meaningful moments. As the brand continues to grow, I’m also building complementary businesses in publishing and education because I believe service extends beyond the kitchen. Whether someone encounters my work through a catered event, a children’s book, or future educational resources or course I offer, I want every interaction to leave them encouraged, inspired, and cared for.
What are your plans for the future?
The future is incredibly exciting because I feel like I’m building with much greater clarity than when I first started.
For Ravens Cravings, my goal is to continue growing into larger corporate events, nonprofit galas, conferences, weddings, and luxury private dining experiences while strengthening our presence throughout the Kansas City area and beyond. I’m also looking forward to expanding our Airbnb chef experiences and exploring opportunities to partner with local organizations and businesses.
Outside of catering, I’m preparing to publish children’s books centered around emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience. Those projects represent another part of my purpose and allow me to impact families in a completely different way.
Long term, I want to build businesses that create opportunities for others. I hope to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, hire and develop talented individuals, create educational resources, and establish brands that continue making a positive impact for years to come. More than anything, I’m looking forward to continuing the journey. Every new opportunity reminds me that this isn’t just about building successful businesses, it’s about building a legacy of service, creativity, and community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravens.cravings?igsh=MWZrdjJpYnhqeDR1ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JNzZEApDo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.airbnb.com/services/6073423?viralityEntryPoint=179&s=76
Image Credits
Daniel Ross
