Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Terry.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Cynthia Terry, founder and CEO of Blackeyed peas Restaurant. My journey as an entrepreneur has been built on more than serving good food. It has been about creating a place where people feel welcomed, where culture is celebrated, and where community has a seat at the table. Before becoming a restaurant owner, I spent 15 years working as a fresh food Manger Trainee for high-end grocery company. That experience taught me the importances of quality, customer services, leadership, food preparation, presentation, and most importantly understanding what people want when they gather around food.
After, years of learning and growing, I knew I wanted to build something of my own.
That dream became Blackeyed peas Restaurant.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest obstacles has been learning how to navigate the financial pressure that come with operating a restaurant. Rising food costs, labor expenses, rent, utilities, equipment, maintenance, and the everyday cost of doing business can place tremendous pressure on a small business owner. There were times when numbers were difficult and I had to make decisions without knowing exactly what next month would bring. I have also experienced the challenges of having to reinvent my business. The restaurant industry changes constantly, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. I had to learn to look beyond simply serving food and begin thinking more strategically about catering, private events, community partnership, marketing, customer experiences, and new ways to generate revenue. Relocating and growing the business brought another set of challenges. Every new chapter required permit, licensing, compliances, staffing, security, operations, marketing, and financial planning. There were moments when the process felt overwhelming, but I reminded myself that obstacle was part of building something bigger.
I learned that challenges don’t necessarily mean you are on the wrong path. Sometimes they are evidence that you are being stretched into the person you need to become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Blackeyed Peas LLC?
My work requires me to wear many hats. some days I am focused on the kitchen and food quality. Other days I am working on staffing, finance, marketing, partnership, events, customers service or planning the next stage of business. it can be demanding, but I take pride in knowing that every part of the work contributes to something I believe in.
I have worked to make Blackeyed peas a place where food and culture come together. We host and support events that brings people together for celebration, business conversations, entertainment, fellowship, and special occasions. Through catering, we are also able to take our food and hospitality beyond the restaurant and into business, organization, schools, wedding, and community events.
I don’t want Blackeyed peas to simply be knows as a restaurant. I want it to be recognized as community-minded business that creates experiences, celebrates culture, supports connections, and creates opportunities.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief:
When you have been blessed with an opportunity, you should use it to create opportunities for others.
That is the work I am committed to doing and legacy I hope to build.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mother is someone who is deserving of my success as she pushed me to believe in myself and continue even when I didn’t want to. She was my biggest fan.,. My Grandmother, she would always encourage me by saying to me God has always given you more kisses.
Contact Info:
- Website: Black eyepeasvb.com
- Instagram: blackeyedpeasongranby
