We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dawn Sugg. Check out our conversation below.
Dawn, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
That is an interesting question. A normal day for me is a full 15-hour day. Up and running at 5 am operating two trailers can be a big task.
Staring the day off with a little office work. As a small business owner, I wear all the hats from accounting to scheduling in the office. Then off to the trailers to take inventory or to clean. My day continues with an hour trip to Greensboro to shop at all my suppliers for our weeks working coming up.
After returning to the trailer for a long day of shopping it is time to restock the trailers. Do a little prep work if needed to get ready for the next big event that we have the pleasure to being a part of. This includes checking all tanks to make sure that we have ample gas, diesel and propane.
Or if it’s not a day of office and shopping, I am prepping for the day and pulling out to serve. On a normal day we serve 200-300 people at each event. Then return home to clean the trailer again for the following day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dawn K. Sugg. The owner of The House of Odella and Luella’s (food trailer) and Wink and Nod (mobile beverage trailer). The House of Odell and Luella’s were named after my Grandmother’s Odell and Luella. It has been a very successful trailer for almost 5 years with award winning food. We travel around our surrounding area serving fresh cooked food. As the years go on, we have gained quite a large following. People are just excited when we come to their area. Nothing like opening the window to see a line that has been anticipating your arrival. Our services also include the catering company for some spectacular wedding, corporate events, church socials, family/class reunions and so much more.
As the catering continued, I saw a need for our amazing beverage trailer I named Wink and Nod. This trailer was named in honor of my Grandfather Karras. He would do silly things to get under my grandmother’s skin (Luella) and then look at me. Smile, wink and nod. How I miss those two. This trailer has the ability to operate as an Alcohol trailer, coffee bar or a lemonade and Dirty Soda trailer. It is such a fun little trailer to open up at different events. I love that people take picture of our little trailer to post on their personal social media sites.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
My old world was Health Care Administration. I have been a licensed Administrator for over 30 years. I truly loved what I did, but it was time for a change in life. So, I retired. I sat around the house for about a year doing the normal. CLEANING my house!!! Reorganizing, cooking and bored out of my mind. I had to do something to occupy my time, so I told my husband that I wanted to open a catering company. He looked at me as if I lost my mind. Before Health Care Administration I worked in the food industry for years. Now I never cooked and ran a kitchen, but I was willing to give it a try. I started small only catering and feeding local businesses in my little town that quickly grew. My name and this business grew faster that I was anticipating. After a few years of operating the catering company, I wanted a food trailer. And The House of Odell and Luella was born. It has been such a great success.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I can’t say there was ever a time that I wanted to give up. Do I get tired? Yes. This is a strenuous job. A little upset at something? Yes. That is just work life. But I have always been that person that if I find something that I’m compassionate about, I will work to prefect it as best as I can.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I am as authentic as it comes. What you see in the trailers is the person I am in life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I believe the thing they would miss the most is the food. Our unique flavors are what makes our food different for others. I have had many requests to get a copy of my recipes. But sorry I can’t share them. I laugh because I have a staff member that has requested three of them in my Will.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odell_and_luella/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063747653409 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086683412042
