Meet Stephanie McGowan | Owner and Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie McGowan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Growing up, my family had a weekly routine. Every Friday, we would have “Friday Free for All,” which turned into my weekly practice time. During this time, I would play with my food and practice any new recipe I found to be interesting. Oftentimes, these recipes ended in disaster, but I always learned one new thing that I could tweak to improve my dishes.

Through this weekly routine, I had numerous kitchen triumphs and failures. It is through these experiences that I came to love cooking. As I grew older, I began to notice that many of the people I interacted with weren’t confident in their cooking abilities. This is when the idea of my company popped into my head. After a year of toying with the idea, I went ahead and officially established my company “Play With Your Food Houston.” Through my company, I am sharing my love for cooking and the heartwarming recipes that I’ve tested with the clients I have served and those who I will serve in the future.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is a mobile beginner’s cooking experience. At the beginning of my business, I was definitely confused. I wasn’t sure where to go, who to talk to, or where to begin. While it wasn’t overwhelmingly difficult to get started, I did feel some doubt when I began reaching out to and emailing prospective clients. Still, I was determined to begin my business. Even when I felt doubt creep into my thoughts, I pushed past it because I knew that I wanted to pursue my goals.

Along the way, I’ve learned lessons. The first one is to have a great network of people who you can rely on. This can help you in more ways than you realize. The second thing I’ve learned is to always go after your dreams and do them while you’re scared if you’re nervous about doing something, that means that is outside of your comfort zone. The only way to become comfortable with something is to do it until you’re comfortable.

One thing that I want the world to know about me is that I am committed to living a life that I will remember. I’ve always told myself that I want to live my life to the fullest and pursue my dream of establishing my own business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmm… I actually haven’t really explored my hometown of Houston, but if my friends came to visit me I would take them to the following places.

My favorite Cafe/Creperie: Sweet Paris
My favorite Adventure: The Downtown Aquarium (it’s fun and my interns enjoy the rides, the food, and the activities)
My Fave Food: Y Taco Bar
Unique Houston Attractions: The Houston Tunnels and the Water Wall
Fun Night Out: Shot Bar

Honestly, I’m super into creating aesthetic stay-in-the-house fun, so I’d likely create a lot of fun home hangout ideas for us.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The people I would like to shoutout for their support in my business are 1) Effua McGowan, my mom who has always supported my hopes and dreams
2) My ChuChu, my bestie who has always been by my side for the past 9 years- supporting me in my business and helping me to reach the point where I am now
3) My Aunt Sanghai, who always supports me and encourages me to go after my dreams
4) My Puchu and Sammie, my favorite middle and elementary school interns who test all of my recipes

Website: www.playwithyourfoodhouston.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playwithyourfoodhtx/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Playwithyourfoodhtx