Check Out Aundra Lafayette’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aundra Lafayette.

Aundra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began when I was living in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I was working at a therapeutic boarding school, teaching dance. I had taught dance for a number of years. I was a counselor & Dance instructor to lots of wonderful high School children. We did lots of a variety of Dance from Modern to creative movements, being a therapeutic boarding school I wanted the children to be able to explore & express their feelings & not be afraid of their body image & their self-esteem. When I would have a night off, I would go to the Red Lion Inn, a very famous Bed & Breakfast. I would eat soups & Stews to keep myself in shape, eat right & keep my body correct. I worked my kids, wanted them to be the very best person they could be. My Passion was there always. My favorite words have always been, Comfort, Passion & Love. I had a big role there. I was responsible for all of the musicals, dinner theater & performances.

After I completed that mission, I decided to move back home, Nashville, Tennessee.

I had a very big decision to make in my life. I wanted to continue my passion of giving back to the community, I decided to start preparing “Soup”. It was a perfect fit.

I began preparing some different kinds of Soups. I had a great teacher, my Dad & I use to cook together when I was younger. Loved food & loved cooking. I started choreographing the soups like I did Dance. It all worked out. I called the Tennessean paper about what I was about to do. They came out, great Interview. That is when the journey began. I would deliver one soup a day. I wanted to build my customer base to get well known & build some trust with the community. My Passion was there, my commitment was there & definitely my Love was there… I do over fifty soups, I use all local food from the farmers, local vegetables, local everything because that is the right thing to do.

After doing Soups for over eight years, I have a customer base of 600 clients.

I have accomplished great documentation, trust & a bond with my clients that is so important to me.

I have acquired the most wonderful clients ever. I serve three markets a week, serving different locations in Nashville. Between choreographing Dance & Soups, it’s a perfect fit for me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, not a smooth ride my parents always told me You have to fail forward in order to have success. I was ready for the falls. I got up bigger, better & a lot stronger. Some of the struggles were trying to please people, having enough of a variety of soups &.most of all fitting everyone’s need, so far as dealing with diabetes, weight situations, eating smart & of course acquiring the correct taste to satisfy their needs. I would use lemon to bring out the taste without using lots of salt.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I attended the Philadelphia Dance Academy for college. A private school in Philadelphia, PA. Before college, I took dance every weekend at Fisk University on Saturdays. That was my first passion. I loved the Arts to express my feelings, emotions & Love for mankind. After college, I wanted more training, the very first thing that came to my mind was NYC. Yes, I’ve moved to the 🍎 Got great training, worked in retail, met wonderful people, did some modeling for Ann Taylor’s, just living my life. I always had great support from my parents ❤. I taught dance for over 40 years to children. I appreciate each & everyone that supported me & my craft.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Before I left for college. There were great neighborhoods, beautiful homes, creative communities and you could still go to your neighborhood & borrow Sugar. 😂

What I have a problem with now is that all new people, not knowing people in your neighborhood, new homes built, most of the homes look the same, no personality, no character.

Pricing:

• Soups! Pints, $10.00 quarts 15.00

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: #thesoiuplady
• Facebook: Lafayette Soup Company

Image Credits
The images were taken by me Aundra Lafayette & Rebecca  Denton.