From Home Kitchen to High-Profile Clients: How Chef JC Turned Her Passion Into a Thriving Business With Help From Florida SBDC at USF
The Bougie Palate, LLC of Hillsborough County
For Tampa Bay entrepreneur Jacinta “Chef JC” Pinckney, what started as a heartfelt gesture during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly evolved into a flourishing catering business—thanks in part to support from the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida.
During the height of the pandemic, Pinckney began preparing home-cooked meals for friends who couldn’t cook for themselves. “They would come to my house and pick up their meals and give me money,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘No, it’s fine,’ and they said, ‘You need to get paid for your service.’ And it just blossomed from there.”
That turning point ignited the birth of The Bougie Palate, a catering company known for its flavorful cuisine and high-end presentation. With her culinary talents as a foundation, Pinckney invested time into refining her recipes, building a website, and designing her own logo. But when it came to running a business, she knew she needed expert guidance.
Enter the Florida SBDC at USF—and business consultant Randy Hayes.
“I reached out to SBDC for help because I lacked business literacy,” she explained. “They helped me from start to finish. There were times I wanted to give up, but Randy was my cheerleader. He motivated me to be my best self.”
With Hayes’ support, Chef JC developed a comprehensive business plan and implemented effective marketing strategies. The results were immediate and impactful: new catering opportunities and a major milestone—securing a catering contract with a well-known organization.
“A lot of big things have happened since I’ve been with Florida SBDC at USF,” she said. “I obtained a contract, I’ve been featured on Radio 101.5 with DJ Ekin, and I’m doing events with partners like JP Morgan Chase and the Manatee Black Chamber of Commerce.”
With her calendar now packed with events, Pinckney is expanding her team to meet growing demand. “I need staff to handle events, and an administrator to help streamline quotes, proposals, and payments,” she said.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “You can’t do it all on your own. It really takes a village to make your business work. I didn’t have family support, but reaching out to the SBDC was probably the best thing I ever did to launch my business.”
From humble beginnings to high-profile clients, Chef JC’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion—and the right support system.
