Meet Alicia Davis | Proprietor & Food Enthusiast

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

Hi Alicia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
It’s in my nature to weigh the risks so I know where I stand with all possible outcomes considered. It’s also in my nature to see risks as challenges that are possible to overcome. The motivation is the reward I receive at the end of my efforts. If I win, (and I usually do) I reap the spoils of victory. If I lose, I take the lesson and eat the humble pie. I have been fortunate to have a mostly comfortable life because I raised my hand when others wouldn’t and I did it early so I could have options. I knew these things would affect my kids’ quality of life and wellness. Betting on my family for generations to come will always be worth the risk, for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel like my food is artistic in that I am always incorporating new ways to improve the taste, presentation, quality, and value- in real time. Most of my menu items that I put up for sale to the public for the first time was the first time I ever made that actual item. I know my processes so well and am confident in the love and time it takes to prep the food, it’s going to taste good. The many mistakes and re-do’s I’ve had in the kitchen over the years on top of watching my grandmothers; I don’t call myself a chef because I did not earn that title but I’m something like it. It’s been an interesting journey overcoming the challenges of business ownership but I’m always overconfident in things I’m passionate about. Sometimes it doesn’t work out but most times it does. I know when I move around with the mindset that the world is mine, one day it will be. And if it isn’t, it will feel like it is because I knew I lived the experience exactly how I wanted to. There are too many lessons to mention but the best ones were learned in humility. Those lessons helped me navigate that fine line between knowing who we are and showing up that way, and ego-driven arrogance. You don’t want your presence to put you out of a room you might need to be in later. My brand is all about having a dope, familiar experience. And the experience just so happens to be vegan. I want people to enjoy their food and not feel bad about where it came from, and also enjoy it because its delicious! My story is long and crazy, been a lot of places, done a lot of things… but I want people to know that it brought me to the Columbus/Phenix City area because this community is A1 to me. I chose to raise my kids here. I found the love of my life here. I feel like part of a tribe here. So I’m prepared to give them my best effort to increase commerce and show love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to Columbus, we are going to start our day with some Trap’n Healthy (IG: @trapnhealthy) juice and going to Yoga first thing in the morning at Art of Yoga (artofyogacolumbusga.com). Then we are going to be greedy after working out the sweat and hitting up Fortune Foods Bakery for some pastries and coffee. I’m also going to stop next door because her man and mine want “real food” before we get back to the house and get them a plate from Fat Momma Lucy’s- they are right next door. We’ll hit up the homeboy Kyle (sfgmthelabel.com), homegirls Chloe (www.exoticmoments.online) and Riah (riahgirlzcollection.com) to see what fits they might have in stock so we look good when we go out. I’m taking her to Essential Oils Boutique for anything TSA threw out of her bag, and taking her to Caragon (caragonlashdme.as.me) for the lash set. Saturday, we’re hitting Market Days on Broadway in the morning so she can mingle with the locals and buy local. After that ends, we pullin up on Tacos n Thangz (IG: @tacosnthangz) on Forrest Road for nourishment after Friday Night festivities – best taco in the city. On Sunday, we going to the Backyard Bar & Grill for brunch because everyone knows PC folks know how to create vibe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family who loved me so well that I knew how to love myself when I left them. The U.S. Navy for giving me the discipline and strategic vision to be able to manage my business. My higher self for manifesting the professional in me to support my divine purpose in my waking life.

Instagram: @medleycolumbus

Facebook: facebook.com/medleycolumbus

Yelp: yelp.com/biz/medley-columbus

Image Credits
photos and graphics are mine.