Inspiring Conversations with Tianna Campbell of Don T’s Meal Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tianna Campbell.

Hi Tianna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Don – in Italian means boss, the T – means Tianna, which translates to Boss Tianna. This name was given by an old friend who joked about how bossy and sassy I was.

Don T’s Meal Services LLC was founded in September 2017, right after Hurricane Irma hit Orlando. I had recently graduated with my bachelor’s degree and was making $10 an hour in a position with no benefits. When my job closed for nearly a month, I was not paid and had to figure out how to make money to pay my rent and utilities. I prayed about it and God answered and instructed me to use my gifts. I questioned and said God, which one? You want me to sing because I don’t know about that. I slept on it and literally had a dream of me cooking and everyone being speechless after they tasted my food.

Nearly a week later, I published Don T’s menu in the notes section on my iPhone and had my first sale of chicken Alfredo for $8. It was a hit, the business was booming! A few weeks later, I received requests to do meal preps for a few FAMU law students and began offering meal plans starting at $65 for up to 10 meals. Though it was a lot of work for not much money it was the true definition of humble beginnings. Although I knew I could cook and my food tasted great, I was not convinced at the time that I would be able to live off my hobby. As my passion grew, I began to create recipes, test sauces, book catering events, bake cakes, and all sorts of desserts.

Now Don T’s is about three months shy of being four years old. We have a long way to go but I am ready. I am a small black woman-owned business specializing in Southern comfort food with a modern twist. Who says you need pork to make something taste good?

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?
Absolutely not. I have nearly given up and lost my desire to cook because sales were not going the way I intended. I am in Grad school full-time and I work full-time to support my business so it has been very hard trying to juggle everything at once. Sometimes I’ve felt that I am overlooked because I am not classically trained. I have lost money from cooking but I gained positive and constructive feedback. I have never wanted something so bad. Being able to feed someone and see them do a little dance after the first bite bring joy to my soul, but it is not easy when clientele is not consistent. I have hired people to promote my brand and that did not work out.

As you know, we’re big fans of Don T’s Meal Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Don T’s is what I call my business for short. I sell individual plates twice a month, Sweet Sunday’s twice a month, I offer catering, private intimate dinners, meal plans and one day cooking classes for home chefs. You should know that I am passionate about providing delicious comfort food that does not sacrifice quality.

I specialize in soul food such as five cheese macaroni and cheese, chicken cornbread dressing or cinnamon sugar yams. My pastas, desserts, and wings are exceptional as well, but what sets me apart from others is my White chocolate bread pudding. Those who are brave enough to get past the name have joined my WCBP cult, trust me it is that good.

I am most proud of my determination to be successful and my drive to try and create new recipes that my current and future customers will love. What sets me apart is my why, I love to cook but I am getting a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. With my passion for cooking and desire to successfully rehabilitate and help ex-offenders, I want to provide jobs to these men and women in my future restaurant and start a foundation where my team and I teach these individuals how to cook so that my restaurant or any other restaurant will not be another closed door but a door of opportunity.

I want readers to know that my small business will not always be small. If you can dream it, you can do it. Follow me on Instagram to see my latest menus, giveaways, $3 dessert day, and home creations. By the end of 2021, I will be launching my website, which will feature recipes, seasonings, sauces, and Don T’s seasoned fish fry.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the oldest of four so I took the role of the chef to alleviate some pressure from my parents. I was an honor student, participated in the choir, I danced, played softball briefly, participated in math competitions, did hundreds of hours of community service, and was a member of a mentoring program called PreCision. Personality-wise I have always been outspoken and determined to do well. I was interested in being a lawyer growing up, in my plan I was going to practice law for five years which was just enough time to save money to open my cafe.

Pricing:

• White chocolate bread pudding $35 for a short pan that feeds 9 people
• Triple layer red velvet cake $45
• Wings: Jerked, sweet chili, brown sugar barbecue, garlic buffalo, hot lemon pepper, and hot honey $1 per wing
• Jerked chicken and shrimp pasta $125 Full pan only feeds 20
• Yellow rice, Pigeon peas & rice, Shrimp & rice, Dressing, Yams, Five cheese macaroni & cheese, Garlic Mashed potatoes, Sweet potato casserole, String beans, Pasta salad, Meatballs $40 for half pans $75 for full pans

Contact Info:

• Email: dontsmealservices@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/don_tsmealservicesllc?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: @dontsmealservicesllc

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Tianna Campbell, Shanese Campbell, or Sandy Moline