Check Out Justice Isom’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justice Isom

Hi Justice, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cooking has been my passion for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I spent countless hours in the kitchen with my grandmother, learning her recipes and bonding over the art of filling bellies. By high school, I was selling cupcakes for $2 each, and when I got to college, I needed a way to make ends meet. I started cooking for my friends, who quickly encouraged me to sell plates on campus.

The response was incredible, and soon I was getting attention from all over. My first catering event, though, was a disaster—I was overwhelmed and unprepared. But that experience pushed me to seek mentorship, and I reached out to Chef Tyler Thompson, who guided me through the early stages of my chef career.

With his help, I was able to refine my skills, and before long, I started cooking for major celebrities like DC Youngfly, Renny, and Jonathan from Bad Boys. I found myself traveling across North Carolina weekly, and my business has been thriving ever since.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles I faced was during my first catering event. I was completely overwhelmed and unprepared, which led to a pretty disastrous experience. It was a tough moment for me, but it also became a turning point. That failure pushed me to seek out mentorship, and I was fortunate to find Chef Tyler Thompson, who helped me navigate the challenges of starting a chef career.

Another struggle was balancing the demands of growing my business while still trying to maintain the quality and personal touch that made my cooking stand out in the first place. Traveling across North Carolina weekly can be exhausting, and there were times when I felt stretched too thin. But each challenge taught me something valuable, and I learned to adapt, manage my time better, and rely on a support system to keep pushing forward.

I was a full time college student & mom. I had to learn how to balance the two.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for my work in cooking, catering, and content creation. What sets me apart is my ability to rise above the challenges and stigmas that often come with being an African American woman from one of the toughest neighborhoods in Charlotte. Where I’m from, many people don’t even make it to their senior year of high school, but I’ve managed to graduate, have a child, and even pursue my master’s degree.

These accomplishments mean everything to me because I’m breaking generational curses—no one in my family has ever done what I’m doing. I’m most proud of that, and I hope my kids will go on to achieve even bigger and better things. It’s about showing them that no matter where you come from, you can overcome and create a better future.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The COVID-19 crisis taught me a lot about resilience and adaptability. One of the most important lessons I learned was the need to be flexible and creative in the face of unexpected challenges. When the pandemic hit, everything changed overnight—events were canceled, and the way I did business had to shift drastically. It forced me to rethink my strategies and find new ways to connect with my clients and audience.

I also realized the importance of having a strong online presence. With in-person interactions limited, I had to lean more into content creation and use digital platforms to keep my business going. It showed me just how crucial it is to have multiple streams of income and to be able to pivot quickly when circumstances change.

Overall, the crisis reinforced my belief in the importance of community and support systems. We’re all in this together, and having people around you who can help you navigate tough times is invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Chefju__