Please tell us the origin story behind Black Girl Tamales. What sparked the idea, and how has the company grown since its inception?
Black Girl Tamales was born out of love, leftovers, and legacy. In 2019, after Mother’s Day brunch, I had leftover collard greens and decided to wrap them in masa just playing around in the kitchen. My son and clients tried it and were instantly hooked. That one experiment sparked a movement. I knew I had something special. Pre-COVID, I branded the concept, and from there it grew legs, heart, and a purpose blending Southern soul with traditional tamales to create a product that tells our story in every bite.What started as a small-batch experiment in my kitchen has grown into a full-fledged culinary brand with national attention. Since launching, Black Girl Tamales has expanded from local pop-ups to shipping kits across the country, developed retail-ready products, and gained recognition from major accelerator programs and food industry leaders. We’ve evolved from selling tamales to building a brand rooted in culture, community, and disruption and every move we’ve made has been strategic, soulful, and scalable.
What drew you to the Maker Prep program? Were there any topics or workshops that especially stood out?
I was at a point in my business where I had hit a hard pivot with the vision, the flavor, and the story but I needed the structure to scale. Maker Prep came across my radar from the James Beard Foundation. I was drawn to it because it spoke directly to food entrepreneurs like me and felt the call was answered to help me build something culturally rich and commercially viable. I didn’t want another general business course. I needed a program that understood the language of CPG retail, food safety, pricing, and shelf readiness and Maker Prep delivered exactly that.The pricing and cost analysis workshop was essentially needed. As a chef, I know food, but getting clear on margins, scaling production, and understanding how to price for retail versus direct-to-consumer shifted everything. The packaging and compliance sessions were also loaded with nuggets and gems as those are the details that can make or break a product on the shelf. Maker Prep didn’t just inspire me, it equipped me.
How did the Maker Prep experience prepare you for the next step in your business?
Maker Prep helped me move from passion to precision. It gave me the tools to tighten up my operations, speak the language of buyers, and get retail-ready with confidence. I now approach pitches, packaging, and production with strategy not guesswork. The program didn’t just prepare me for the next step; it helped me build the foundation for scaling Black Girl Tamales as a national brand.Learn more about Black Girl Tamales on their website and on Instagram!