Episode 197 - Tyla-Simone Crayton of Sienna Wings

This week we sit down with Tyla-Simone Crayton, founder and CEO of Sienna Sauce and Sienna Wings. What started as a family wing business has grown into a nationally recognized brand, but the journey has been anything but typical.During our conversation, Tyla-Simone reflects on building Sienna Sauce from the ground up, the experience of pitching on Shark Tank, and the unexpected path that led her to attend UC Berkeley. She also discusses the realities of entrepreneurship beyond the headlines, including the ongoing challenges surrounding signage for her Missouri City restaurant and the hurdles that come with expanding a growing business.The conversation also explores her long-term ambitions for Sienna Wings, including her goal of competing with established chains like Wingstop while maintaining the identity that helped build her customer base. Along the way, we settle one of the most important debates in wing culture: flats versus drums. Tyla-Simone makes her case, we challenge it, and the propaganda allegations fly accordingly.From scaling a family business to navigating public attention, restaurant operations, and the pressure that comes with being the face of a growing brand, this episode offers a look at the work behind the success.