Meet Tino Flowers | Business Owner & Chef

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

Hi Tino, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
During my early 20’s I started to realize that I need income to survive and maintain a comfortable lifestyle. I had a part-time job and a side hustle, but the goal was to get a good full-time job after I graduated college so I could have adequate disposable income. After I graduated, it took me 10 months to find a good full-time job but luckily I still had my part-time job and side hustle. Once I started the full time job I let the side hustle go since I was making so much money and I had great benefits. After a few months of working the full-time job I realized these big companies don’t really care about employees, and will cut off your income over anything. I knew I needed to figure out a way to consistently make money without having to worry about getting fired over some BS. I knew from my experience with my side hustle how to operate a small business. I just had to figure out how to turn the small business concept into something with full-time income potential. I started saving my bonuses at the full-time job to invest in starting my own business. I started my business while still working my full-time job so I could still maintain my bills. The full-time job fired me before I got my business to a full-time operation, but I was thankful to at least have started a business which was making money. I just had to take my newly free 40hrs each week and put that into my business. After a few years of growing my business I was able to make it a full-time operation.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I think what makes my business different from the others is my originality. I was born and raised here in Georgia, and I grew up eating the same type of food that I sell. I remember a few places I use to frequent at night when I wanted some good quality fried food after a night of drinking. After so many years of people moving into and out of Georgia, some of the places I used to frequent had either disappeared or changed management and flavor. I know what the locals want in Georgia because I am a local.

I have made it to where I am today by keeping consistent flavor and quality for what people expect. Some of the challenges have come from inconsistencies in the food supply and also weather. The food supply has changed drastically over the last few years including a significant rise in prices. I have had to raise my prices to compensate and try other products when there are shortages. I have learned people are willing to pay for quality but still want a fair value for what they buy. My brand will be here to provide quality fried food products at night when there are not many options.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta is a great city to hang out. There are plenty of clubs, lounges, and stripclubs both new and old. If I have friends in town I take them to a strip club like Blue Flame, Strokers, or Peaches. Blue Flame has my favorite food and plenty of eyecandy so it’s fun both daytime and night. There are a few clusters of bars around the city to hang out. I like East Atlanta Village, Peter’s Street, or Edgewood Ave. I like to do karaoke at Impulse in Gwinnett.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to TEN ATL Hookah Lounge and Bar. They gave me a chance to service their customers and helped me to grow.

Website: potowings.com

Instagram: potowings