Meet Maclaine West | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maclaine West and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maclaine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

Supper is the most important part of the day in my family. We disconnect from the world and work, and come together to share an amazing meal, conversation and one another’s company. Supper is an experience; an intimate setting where guests show up as their most authentic selves to discuss a range of topics to connect, heal and grow. The supper table is a foundation for connection as it cultivates a sense of belonging as many feel seen, heard and supported. We have learned that we all have a story, so if you show up as your authentic, vulnerable self, others will follow. As humans, at our core we crave a sense of belonging, having a voice, and being connected to others in our daily lives.

Before the pandemic, I continuously got frustrated with not feeling seen, heard or connected to others in social environments. I was lucky enough to quarantine at home with my entire family and realize what truly mattered, which was time spent together. I had the ability to sit down at the supper table each night with the people who meant the most to me to discuss topics that pushed me to grow. I want to change the narrative and make supper meaningful again. I started Soul Supper as I saw a need for the space where individuals can come together to expand their palate and mind with transformative discussions and a family-style meal. Soul Supper began as I started to introduce my friends and peers to supper in my apartment in Los Angeles, yes I have hosted multiple suppers in my apartment. It has blossomed into curating experiences to change the way we connect with one another. Soul Supper is a space where individuals can come together to expand your palate and mind.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Food brings people together but sitting down for “dinner” is a necessity. There is always one more task, limited time and we often find that many do not even sit down nor are detached from their phones to spend time with one another. We have created a society where fast is better, convenience is preferred and vulnerability is a weakness. The experience of “Supper” is underestimated. Supper is an experience and these moments must matter; it is coming together to share each other’s company while conversation grows intra and interpersonal relationships. At supper, eating family style allows for you to try new dishes while you await your favorite dish to be passed all while you are willing to show up as your most authentic self. In today’s world, we believe authenticity, uniqueness and genuineness should be celebrated.

Soul Supper, a human connection brand that brings people together to engage and grow the soul within a community. Soul Supper feeds authenticity empowering individuals to come together and leave connected.  Each supper invites 10-15 diverse guests to come together and share intimate moments. These experiences are structured to make a connection with one another rooted in the curated topics and questions as a catalyst for this growth. Soul Supper has grown to be a human connection, experiential brand with “supper” as the driver of healing and growth. The supper table is more than a piece of wood, it is the foundation of humanity and our desire for connection. Soul Supper was founded on the idea that supper is not just the food but the conversation and people you experience it with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In the year I have been living in the city, I have tried dozens of restaurants, went to the typical “LA” spots and I have to say, you can go anywhere but the company is the most important part of of the experience. I would say one of my strengths is knowing the best places to eat and things to do in basically every city. Some of my favorite things to do with the people I love are: Sunrise beach trip in Malibu, Hiking Will Rodgers, going to Belwood Bakery for a quick smoothie and breakfast sandwich or Yeastie Boys for a bagel and for brunch Bacari is one of THE best brunches in the city. If you love a breakfast burrito like me, Dialog, Tacos Tu Madre and Egg Tuck are some of the best. For lunch, I am a huge sandwich girl, Bay Cities or Larchmont Wine + Cheese are the only heroes I will eat. A hack, get your sandwich and go to a park, the beach, or a bench and eat your sandwich outside. Dinner is always easy because LA has so many amazing options but some of my favorites are: Thai Thing on 3rd, Hamasaku, Ospi, Mother Wolf, Laurel Hardware, and Olivetta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Supper is the most important part of the day in my family. I would say my biggest inspiration, support and encouragement is my family. My dad helped me with the concept as he introduced supper into our family; my mom is my biggest inspiration, she has taught me that grace, grit and gratitude will get me further than anything, my siblings are some of my biggest fans and my “why” to continue to keep going, and my extended family continue to show up for me every damn day. And then lastly, my Soul Supper community; each individual who has attended a supper has taken a leap of faith in trusting me to moderate conversation and help in their growth so I would not be where I am today without their willingness and trust.

Website: soulsupperseries.com

Instagram: brand: @soulsupperseries + personal: @bigmacattack

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maclaine-west-2b7ba2114/

Image Credits
Michael (Ojo) Ada