food because they usually stayed at people’s houses, instead of hotels.
The Willie Mays soul food wrap is our best seller. It’s made up of collard
greens, dressing and candied sweet potatoes in a 12-inch flour tortilla | or
w/seasoned, BBQ or jerked turkey. Our goal is to pitch deliciously healthy
variations of southern “comfort” food, coupled with historical facts about
Negro League Baseball players and teams.
Was it hard getting your food license in Chicago?
DON: No, it was harder getting a liquor license. The city just wants to make
sure you follow their protocol. I want to get back to a physical location,
though, because liquor sales make all the difference for a small business
owner.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs who want to start their
own business?
DON: Just do it, and learn from your mistakes. Most people talk about what
they’re going to do and never actually do it. I learned a lot of lessons from
owning the Negro League Café. I’m looking forward to doing a lot better this
time at bat.
When he’s not selling food on the streets, Don teaches a college course
in entrepreneurship at MacCormac College in the loop. “My students
can actually see and experience what running a business is like. It’s like
experiential learning, and I can share best practices.”
Catch Don and the Southern Pitch Food Truck in the South Loop on
Tuesdays, right next to Vice District Brewery. Also find him online at www.
southernpitchfoodtruck.com.
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