We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephenee SIMMS and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephenee, what makes you happy? Why?
Being in my kitchen. Writing new recipes. Cooking for people and serving people. I enjoy making people happy with my cooking.
What should our readers know about your business?
I have always loved to cook and create recipes since I was a little girl learning the basics from my mother. My father was artistic and an entrepreneur at heart. Both he and my mother encouraged my artistic and entrepreneurial spirit as young as 10 years old. I’ve had a few different businesses leading up to the business I currently have, and even painted my friends Vans tennis shoes with tropical scenes in Middle School for $5.00 a pair. I have always looked at things from a business point of view and studied Business Marketing in College.
I have loved having dinner parties, cooking for my friends, and making cocktails. I would often bring them toffee when we got together. About six years ago, I was having dinner with a big group of people and brought everyone some toffee. One of the gentleman at the table was a food blogger with a following. He ended up going live talking about how great my toffee was and encouraged me to go into business. I had customers before I had a business. Two weeks later, I built a website and went into business. My recipes have gotten better and my business has grown into toffee cookies, toffee cheesecake, toffee bars, toffee brownies, etc… I am humbled by the success of my small business and enjoy interacting with my customers.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start at the beach. Take my friend to a roof top seafood restaurant in Manhattan Beach or Malibu. Somewhere with great views of the ocean and a fun atmosphere. I would suggest a nice jazz bar/restaurant downtown LA for week day evenings. Hollywood Bowl for a concert and I would bring the food and drinks. Spoken word poetry in Leimert Park village. Hopefully catch a nice street festival and farmers market, and end the week with a gathering at my house with good food, charcuterie, nice cocktails, and spinning some old school vinyl on my record player while dancing.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who have encouraged me in my business life. I have several great friends who are also business owners and have given me wonderful ideas, great help, and their honest opinions. The people who have encouraged me the most though, would have to be my parents and sister. My parents had careers but also were entrepreneurs. My father encouraged me to follow my dreams as young as elementary school. I would create art by painting, and sell my pieces. My mother encouraged me the same way and as I watched her in the kitchen, I felt inspired to create meals in the kitchen. My sister has helped and encouraged me so much as well. This has effected me so positively in my life.
Website: www.ooolalatoffee.com
Instagram: @ooolalatoffee
Facebook: Ooo-lala Toffee
Yelp: Ooolala Toffee