BUSINESS PROFILE: Shack brings soul to city

Soul Food Shak
Omar Jones owner
Look for the little red shack on wheels southeast of John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway

When and why did you start your business? About seven months ago, we wanted to bring some good Southern cooking to the area. In Texas, where we’re from, we call it good food for the soul.

What does your business do? We cook soul food. We have deep-fried catfish, Southern smoked barbecue, deep-fried wings and ocra. Our specialty is deep fried catfish and okra or our deep friend mac and cheese and you can always cool it off with an orange cream float or root beer float.

What is the most important aspect of business to you? The customer service you know; we want to keep the continuous customers coming back.

Why did you start your business in Maricopa? We found out that it was a growing community that hadn’t been around that long, and we felt that gave us a better chance.

What are some challenges you have faced in life? Staying positive and being around the right people and staying out of trouble and away from gangs, drugs and prisons. I’ve always been a leader and just needed to stay away from trouble.

What are some challenges you have faced in business? Basically getting people to know about us and our food and getting people in to try it. We needed to get out and advertise; and I invest all of my effort into it.

What is the best piece of advice you could give young entrepreneurs? Just believe in yourself, surround yourself with good positive people and don’t be a follower, be a leader. And believe in God.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given, and who gave it to you? The best advice I was given is to pray more and to just love life and look out for the kids. If you see someone going in the right direction, tell them to be in the right place at the right time.

What is your favorite food? Ox tails over beans and rice; we also cater that.

Where is your favorite place to vacation? New Zealand; I haven’t been yet but I really want to go. Got to dream big.

What is your favorite TV show? Martin, he’s just funny and does great imitations.

Who has been the most influential person in your life? My cousin. She has always been there and always talks positive and keeps me focused.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a firefighter. Helping people and saving lives and being positive seemed like something I wanted to do. Being a person that needed to be called on.

Who was your first crush? Lil’ Kim.

What is your favorite sports team? I’m a huge San Francisco 49er’s fan; and I like the Thunder, too.

What separates your business from the competition? I would say the customer service, delicious food. And, we may be small, but we do it big.

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