VALDOSTA — Being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy and everyone does it a little differently. Some open online stores, while others open brick-and-mortar storefronts. Some go all in and invest their life into a new venture, while others start a new business as something to do on the side. Regardless of the type, entrepreneurs help drive the local economy.

Mikki Hudson is the owner and operator of Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering, and isn’t originally from Valdosta.

Hudson ended up in Valdosta after her father told her she had to stay in state for college to receive the Hope Scholarship, she said. So, as teenagers often do, she chose Valdosta State University because it was the furthest she could get away from Norcross, without leaving the state, she said.

After she got settled, Hudson worked at Jessie’s Eats and Treats while she earned her bachelor’s in marketing, she said.

After graduating in 2001, Hudson went to culinary school at The Art Institute in Atlanta. After receiving her associate’s, Hudson worked at several restaurants and a catering business in North Georgia for a couple of years.

In 2007, Hudson got a job at Disney in Florida as a chef. She worked for the Mouse House for two years until her old boss at Jessie’s called her and asked her to come work as her head chef on the catering side of the business.

Sometime between that initial phone call and when she arrived in Valdosta in January, the conversation turned from head chef, to buying the restaurant and taking over, Hudson said.

The change in ownership wasn’t planned but it was good timing, she said. The previous owner’s daughter owned City Market at the time and she left to help her daughter with the business.

Hudson has been working as a staple in Downtown Valdosta ever since.

Due to the lack of planning when she took over Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering, Hudson advises new entrepreneurs to have a small nest egg before going all in.

“I didn’t have savings; it wasn’t planned out,” she said. “I wasn’t ready for all the different costs.”

Hudson said it is different working for a business than it is owning one. She also advises to really look into the costs of starting a business.

Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering is a sit-down restaurant and catering business. It is open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. It is located at 205 N. Ashley St. For more information call (229) 247-4670 or visit www.jessiesvaldosta.com. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.