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

Hi Shakyra, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Giving up is never an option . I have two children, I would never give up . I know they’re depending on me .

What should our readers know about your business?
Hello, my name is Shakyra (Ky). I am 26years young. I am originally from Tutwiler MS, Raised in Hattiesburg Ms. i first started my business in Hattiesburg MS selling plates in my home in 2015. I started advertising myself on social media. People that were close to me knew I could cook because I would cook for all of my friends when they came over. Once I started posting pictures of the plates on social media; people started buying and spreading the word. I took breaks here and there to work on my presentation and recipes. I gained a real love for food and cooking. I started taking it really serious once I started gaining more clientele and receiving nothing but positive reviews. I could go out to eat and know every ingredient that was used to make something. Over the years I have become a real food enthusiast. I love creating my own recipes and just watching videos online and recreating them with my own twist. I have always felt like God vision was bigger than mine. There is so much I want to do with my brand and my business. I moved from MS to expand my business and turn my dreams into reality . I also wanted to bring a taste of some Good Mississippi soul food and by doing this I purchased my very own food truck!! (I have kept this a secret but whoever reads this interview will now know the secret) I also have a seasoning line that’s out now. I have about 11 different flavors right now I plan to have so many more plus get them in stores on shelves. I am also in the process of creating a cookbook right now. I am an author as well I published my first children’s book on Amazon (A Tale of Two Brothers Beating Sickle cell) in honor of my two boys who are currently fighting sickle cell.

The road has not been smooth at all! I have had so many speed bumps on this journey and I know there are more to come. Building clientele, trying to get people to promote and support me, spending my personal money on products and inventory, and not making a profit back. The list goes on.

I had to really sit down and have some self discipline while on this road to success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well my friends love when I cook. They would take my cooking over any restaurant any day. There is absolutely nothing I can’t cook. So I would probably cook brunch for them , go to the mall , the spa and probably back home to nap. I love getting my beauty rest . I still fairly new here so I don’t know of many places and it’s so hot here so we probably wouldn’t do much until night falls. We would most definitely go out for drinks anywhere that serves alcohol. I would also probably take them to Cafe 214 if it’s a Friday , Bitter Ends if it’s a Tuesday it Really just depends on the vibe we are all home bodies we just like to put on clothes and go out for a second to get some cute pictures and videos and be ready to go immediately after .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shout out to God first and foremost , my support system and my children , Also Everyone who genuinely support me.

Website: ThePlug601.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theplug601_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/113234357098573/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCZ166MQsOmMVbIncK9R0g6g

Image Credits
Mk Smith (picturememk)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.