From Salon Chair To Catering Empire

Send us Fan MailA wood stove, a hot plate, and a room full of doll babies: that’s where Vea Ella Gee culinary story begins, and it carries her from a bustling beauty salon to a beloved catering business that’s fed weddings, offices, and whole communities. We sit down during Women’s History Month to trace a life built on family recipes, bold pivots, and the kind of grit that turns passion into a plan.We start with the heirloom flavors that shaped her craft—pound cake so iconic it was eulogized, sweet potato pies, collard greens,  cabbages and the Saturday night lessons that stitched technique to memory. Then we follow the unexpected bridge from salon chair to serving table: clients tasting samples, asking for breakfast with their blowouts, and eventually trusting Vea Ella to style the bride and cook the reception. As demand swelled, she made the tough call to go full-time into catering, proving that service, timing, and care translate across industries when you listen to your customers.The conversation turns practical and generous. Vea Ella shares hard-won small business advice: report your income, pay into Social Security, and set up your own benefits because independence doesn’t come with a safety net. Don’t cling to clients; treat them with abundance. Learn from one unhappy review without forgetting the ten who loved their meal. And when life hits hard, keep a center; she worked through grief with grace, honoring her mother’s legacy of help and hospitality.Finally, we look ahead. Vea Ella is building a frozen food line—biscuits and yeast rolls ready to bake, donuts you can “rise and fry” a smart, scalable step that keeps soul food close to home ovens while easing the wear and tear of large events. She still offers small group lunches with 24-hour notice and stays reachable on Facebook under Appetite Delight or her name. If you’ve got connections in grocery or distribution, we’d love your guidance as she takes this next leap.If this story fed your spirit, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Native Drums. Your support helps us spotlight women whose work keeps our communities strong.Support the show