Katy Nielsen is a Colorado based, Chicago-trained performance artist, production manager and writer. You can see the embodiment of her continuing work and aesthetic at Outlaw Production Collective, creating & producing unique performance work with an awesome network of artistic associates.
Lindsay Madison is an Arbonne consultant, yoga instructor and all-around health and wellness enthusiast. She initially came to her yoga mat to combat vertigo and regain a sense of balance after a partial hearing loss and was immediately hooked. Since then, she's built a global network marketing business as a consultant with Arbonne and taught classes throughout the Midwest and Canada. Lindsay resides with her Pitbull rescue, BellaObama, just outside Detroit, Michigan and is currently working and teaching remotely. Connect with her at VisionsIncorporated.com
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DL: To switch my thought process to concentrate on smoked meats was, and still can be very challenging. Smoking meats and barbecue has always been a great hobby of mine, but my first interests were in fine dining and catering events. I decided to concentrate on smoked meats because I was good at it and something felt organic about it. I felt confident that the concept I had in mind would be well received across Chicago and even around the world.
FLM: You initially started out with a Lexington Betty food truck and had a tremendous setback when it caught fire. Describe that moment and the steps you took to overcome that challenge.
DL: So ambitious and filled with a competitive spirit I left my job at The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago to establish my food truck "Lexington Betty Smoke House". I received the truck in June of 2019, and it was set on fire only a few months later in October. Naturally I was devastated to wake up in the middle of the night to find my truck in flames. The first question that came to mind was, who would do such a thing? With no real direction on where to begin to pick up the pieces I made the decision to be optimistic, and immediately started to rebuild. Fortunately, I had insurance so the truck was immediately totaled out and paid off. Without a dime of investment money left to my name, I decided to cash out my former jobs 401k to replace the truck. Four months later in March we were back up and running.