Today we’d like to introduce you to Joi Turner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I always saw commercials and advertisements about hunger in foreign or third world countries, but I had also seen people in my daily life struggle with hunger right here in my neighborhood. I have also loved to cook since before I could walk. So, when I was about nine years old, I started to cook hot meals and give them to the hungry and homeless people in my community. After a few months, my mom and I decided to create Delivering Joi. Since then, my business has grown immensely. I have won community awards and been recognized by many people for the things I am doing.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been a few challenges along the way. Especially when I was first starting everything up. People wouldn’t take me seriously because of how young I was, and still am. They wouldn’t believe that I cooked and prepared the food all by myself. Now that I’m almost 13 people are more okay with the idea of me cooking. Another problem I have had was financially and with donations. I rely off of donations of non-perishables and money. So, when donations aren’t coming in like they usually are, it becomes a little bit hard to get the materials I need. I was also working on becoming a non-profit organization, but that required me to cook in an industrial kitchen instead of my kitchen, which was challenging because usually I would be coming home from school and my mom would be getting off from work. Now, during this pandemic, I am still continuing but I am cooking and distributing with a mask, gloves, and following social distance protocols.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
There are many businesses in this area that give food to the homeless and hungry in the community. However, most of those organizations require people to come to them, I usually go to people. I also make hot meals, other organizations pack bags of snacks or sandwiches. I am most proud of the impact I have had on other youth. So many of my classmates and peers have started their own companies or volunteered their time with me. I wanted to emphasize on the difference between hunger and homelessness. Most people think they are both the same thing, but someone that is hungry isn’t always homeless and someone homeless isn’t always hungry.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was happy, smiling, and caring. Most of all, I really loved to cook. My mother and other family members were always in the kitchen with me. I started reading at an early age and I was gifted with recipe books and cookbooks. Volunteering is a big part of my life. I have a loving, caring, serving family that is always lending a hand in the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Deliveringjoi.com
- Phone: 7866551079
- Instagram: deliveringjoi
- Facebook: Delivering Joi
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