We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenee Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jenee, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to be one reminiscent of the little girl who never fit in that grew up to embrace the freedom of creating her place in the world. As most children, I fought to be accepted, even when it made me uncomfortable. It wasn’t until I grew up that I got to see just how beautiful being myself truly is. I want to inspire all of the little awkward girls who dim their light in hopes of fitting in. I want them to look at me and to be constantly reminded of how cool it can be to STAND OUT!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have always loved food. Being a third generation chef, I started cooking at the age of five. In 2007, my mother told our family that she had quit her job, bought a restaurant and was relocating from New Jersey to North Carolina in approximately 3 weeks. She, “would rather try and fail than to die knowing she never chased her dreams.”
I moved to Charlotte, NC with my mother and grandmother and left the entire life I knew behind. At the restaurant, there was no one but my mother and I. I assisted my mother in EVERY single thing that I could. I single handedly ran our restaurant MANY days from the ages of 15-17.
In 2010, I graduated from high school and once I got to college, I realized that I was on my own. Like most college students, I found myself scrambling for money. It didn’t take long to return back to my roots … food.
I started selling food in college and supported myself for three years on that money alone. Upon returning home, I had a newborn daughter and needed to find a job. I held multiple positions within the banking industry but it did not take me long to realize that Corporate America is NOT for me. Ironically, my department closed without giving the employees any notice. I started my professional culinary career three days later (2015). Finding that quality food ingredients were almost impossible to obtain in my community, I decided to stop selling food until I could ensure the source and quality of the ingredients. Upon doing extensive research, the decision to start a farm was not only easy, but it almost felt like my only option.
I wanted to find a way to combine all of the things that I love and excel at – food, hospitality and farming. I came up with the idea that I wanted to get a big, old house and turn that into a bed and breakfast … in a new way. I wanted to create a space where people could visit, feel comfortable and enjoy my food. The biggest part of enjoying my food at the bed and breakfast is where it comes from.
It has not been easy at all. There were plenty of times when I got discouraged. There were plenty of people who could not see my vision. There were plenty of houses that were nice but they weren’t right for my vision. The list could go on and on but all in all, I never allowed myself to give up on my dreams because I knew they belonged to ME.
I want people to remember my brand for years to come. I want to be a household name. I want to change the way little Black kids think of farming. I want to encourage people to grow their own food. I want to change the world and reach every generation – however that may happen.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Naturally, my best friend is going to stay at The Fresh Eats Retreat. It is a farm to table bed and breakfast right outside of the city lines of Columbia, SC. We will sit on the huge wrap around porch and drink our tea while we watch the sunrise over the surrounding 256 acres of the property. One day, we will grab a couple drinks, some finger foods and head to Lake Murray to go fishing. Another day, we would head to the Old Mill Antique Mall to look at all of the cool things in there. (This is going to take a day in itself) The next day, we are going to the flea market at Shaw Air Force Base to see if we discover any hidden gems. I would take them to The Epicurean Table Restaurant, they’re a Black owned restaurant who raises their own Wagyu beef. The steaks are phenomenal. And then, to close out the weekend, we would have a Sunday Funday at Room Service, complete with mimosas, food and great music.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my village! Grandma – You are the wind beneath my wings. Mom – you have always shown me what being a boss looks like. Skylar Rose – You are my entire reason. My daddy – Hey Arthur Spooner. My best friend Amanda, she’s a lawyer! My best friend Sonita – you already know the way you change(d) my life. My siblings – I got US.
I want to send the most sincere shoutout to everyone who has ever interacted with me via social media. To everyone who has ever ordered a product from my website. To everyone who has EVER contributed to my gofundme. It truly means so much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Instagram: farmbaenae
Other: airbnb.com/h/thefresheatsretreat
Image Credits
ehardtmedia