Enjoy this Q&A between Suzanne and our dear friend & client, Dayo Edwards of DayoSense Catering:
Dayo (pronounced “Dah-yo”), let’s start with your beautiful name. Tell us about its meaning, and what it means to the naming of your business, DayoSense.
My name is Dayo, pronounced "Dah-yo", and it is a Nigerian Name that means Joyous Arrival. No, I am not Nigerian, however, my parents were on a mission to make sure my Sister and I both had names with purposeful meaning.
When I created my company of DayoSense 15 years ago the meaning seemed to take on a life of its own!! All my life my mind has always worked different especially when it comes to logistics. I have so often been able to turn complicated puzzles of information into simplicity so I could teach others. I started saying, "It makes Dayo-Sense" when I’ve solved something in a unique way. But then more and more when we bring food to events I would see the joy on clients and guests faces as we served them. Bringing Joy to the Senses is my ongoing theme as we prepare to serve the public. Even more so, the senses we serve are not just sight/smell/touch, but also the sense of Family/Unity/Peace/Humor.
DayoSense is all of these things!
I first met you as a young and talented Architect. What inspired your transition away from the design field and into catering?
I had wanted to be an architect, like my daddy, since the age of 2. My first internship at an architecture firm was at age 16. I had been in the industry for 8 years and realized how lonely it was for a young black woman. My joy was gone and I didn’t know what to do!
Then a friend asked me "If you had all the money in the world, what would you do?". I told him that I would of course chill for a week or so, but then I would most likely go to the grocery store and cook a big meal everyday so that all my friends who had to work could just come over and grab a plate for themselves and family. I cried after hearing my own words. The joy returned to my heart. two days later, I started making dinners 3 days a week after work for about 15 family members and friends. Within 3 months the group of 15 turned into 40 people! 40 people turned into being asked to cater small gatherings on the weekend. Small gatherings led me to going to the Seattle Art Institute's Culinary School during the evening and thereby confidently taking on larger events. And then the 2008 recession hit the architecture world like a ton of bricks! And that was the push I needed to fully jump in the food industry.
How have your skills as an Architect prepared you for running your own business? (I believe all things architecture has prepared me for this moment.
From gently pulling out of a client their vision and making it a reality in a methodical way; to managing vendors like subcontractors and managing my own team to work together for the common goal; from creating recipes similar to creating details and pulling it all together, making my rendition of a Spec Book; to how I respond to clients and send updates, similar to how I’d communicate Change Orders to Contractors. It is indeed all intertwined!
Tell us about Black Love Seasoning – it’s origins and market ambitions.
Black Love Seasoning was created as our Wedding Favor in 2016. I wanted a way to blend my "Northwest" and Kevin’s "Miami" in a unique foodie type of way. I pulled together seasonings from both flavor profiles and listened to my ancestors, as to when to start and stop adding each one. I’m glad I wrote it down, because my concoction has been a hit in hundreds of households so far! When it was created I never knew it would be a start to a whole product line. Now, It is truly a seasoning that foodies are using all over the world! A vegan, low salt, no sugar, gluten free seasoning that is packed with flavor.
We’re grateful to be part of your design / build journey towards your new Commercial Kitchen. What does having this project realized mean to you and your business?
It would be a game changer not just for me and my generation, but for generations to come! We have all witnessed the number of small businesses forced to close because their landlord decided to sell their building. Or during these pandemic times, the stress to keep a leased space as a restaurant. To have the opportunity to have a fully functioning facility on my own land allows me the freedom to invest in myself and my community. It allows for community to come together in a joyful safe-space, filled with many ways they can learn and grow. It allows to be and feel "stable" and available to dream some more. Its very existence gives others the fortitude to do likewise.
What impact on your community do you hope to have as you grow your DayoSense business
oops! I kinda answered this question in the previous answer…
Where can those interested in booking DayoSense for their next catered event learn more?
I am so grateful that we are now in Phase 2! Groups can slowly start coming back together and businesses back to offices. For any of you who would love to have individually packed hot meals/sack lunches/or beautiful platters of food for groups of 20+, DayoSense Catering is here for you. If you are not ready for catering but would like to purchase from our Black Love Seasoning product line, you can find both services at www.DayoSense.com
Thank you, Dayo, for continuing to inspire us with your passionate commitment to serving your beloved community in such delicious ways. We wish you continued success!