From Kitchen Experiments to a Pop-Up Shop Empire: My Journey as a Young Food Entrepreneur
I’ve always believed that food is more than fuel—it’s love, it’s connection, it’s memory. Some of my earliest moments of joy happened in the kitchen, standing on a stool next to my grandmother as she taught me how to fold dumplings and balance seasoning by smell, not measurement. By the time I was a teenager, I was hosting dinner parties for my friends, plating every dish like I was on MasterChef.
People would always say, “You should open a restaurant someday.” I’d smile, brush it off, and go back to experimenting with new flavor combos in my tiny apartment kitchen. But deep down, I knew they were right. I didn’t just love cooking—I wanted to share food with the world. I just had no idea how to make that leap… until I discovered the magic of pop-up shops.
Humble Beginnings: Selling Street Food with a Passion
My first real attempt at selling food wasn’t glamorous. It was a folding table, a cooler, a hotplate, and a handwritten sign that said “Kaya Toast & Chai.” I set up outside a community event, unsure if anyone would even stop to try my food. But they did. In fact, I sold out within two hours. And just like that, something clicked.
I started popping up at every local market, art walk, or block party I could find. My menu was small but unique—global comfort food with bold flavors and cultural mashups. People started asking where I’d be next. They brought friends. Then photographers. Then press.
And that’s when I knew: This isn’t just a hustle. This is a business.
Making It Official: Forming My LLC with InCorp.com
Up to that point, I was operating in the grey area—no permits, no business registration, just passion. But as my customer base grew, I started facing questions I couldn’t ignore: Could I take payments under a brand name? What if someone had an allergy complaint? Could I apply for real food vendor licenses or contracts?
I needed legal protection, credibility, and the ability to scale. After talking to a few mentors, I decided to form an LLC. It would keep my personal finances safe, make me eligible for licenses, and open the door to brand deals and larger events.
I didn’t have a lawyer. I couldn’t afford a fancy consultant. But I found InCorp.com, and everything changed. Their step-by-step platform made forming my LLC incredibly easy. No stress, no confusion—just simple instructions and fast results. I had my business name registered and legal paperwork filed within 30 minutes.
Even better, they offered the cheapest registered agent service I’d come across, and trust me—I looked everywhere. Their dashboard helps me manage legal docs, track state filings, and stay compliant without needing to hire anyone. That freed me up to focus on what I do best: cooking food that people crave.
From Local Favorite to Pop-Up Powerhouse
Once I was official, I branded my business as “Salt & Soul” and started promoting it as a rotating global street food experience. Every weekend featured a different country’s comfort dish—Korean bulgogi sliders one week, Trinidadian doubles the next, and handmade gnocchi the week after that. People loved it. They lined up early, followed us on social media, and started requesting catering gigs.
I brought on a part-time helper, then another. I bought a branded canopy, a POS system, and a food license for each city we served in. It wasn’t long before I was booking weddings, festivals, and corporate events—all while still doing neighborhood pop-ups that started it all.
Milestones and Growth Metrics
Here’s a breakdown of how Salt & Soul scaled from my apartment kitchen to a pop-up empire:
| Growth Indicator | Month 1 | 6 Months | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Pop-Ups | 1 (weekend market) | 3–5 markets + private events | 7+ events/week including festivals |
| Monthly Revenue | $800 | $6,200 | $17,000+ |
| Team Size | Just me | 2 staff (cook + cashier) | 7 part-time + logistics coordinator |
| Menu Items Offered | 3 rotating dishes | 12 core recipes + seasonal | 30+ across 4 international categories |
How InCorp.com Helped Fuel That Growth
I can’t overstate how valuable it was to have a reliable partner in InCorp. As someone who thrives in the kitchen—not in legal documents—their registered agent service and compliance tools kept me worry-free and focused on growth. Their team even helped me understand annual filing requirements so I wouldn’t get hit with late fees or legal issues down the line.
And for the record: their registered agent service is legit. No hidden fees. No surprises. Just support when and where I needed it most. I’ve recommended them to every pop-up chef, food truck owner, and indie baker I know who’s ready to go from street vendor to business boss.
Advice for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs
To anyone who’s been told “You should sell this,” but doesn’t know where to start—this is for you. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Start with your flavor, not a fancy kitchen. People buy passion. Make one dish better than anyone else can, and the rest will follow.
- Form your LLC early. Protect yourself. Look legit. Use InCorp.com to make it easy and affordable.
- Pop-ups are powerful. You don’t need a restaurant to build a brand. You just need consistency and customer love.
- Invest in the vibe. Your signage, setup, and social media should tell a story that matches your food.
- Scale smart, not fast. Grow when your systems can handle it—not just when demand is high.
The Future of Salt & Soul
Today, we’re planning to open a semi-permanent residency kitchen in a rotating food hall downtown. I’m also launching a line of pre-packaged sauces and spice blends based on our most popular menu items. The dream is to keep the spirit of pop-ups—flexible, creative, personal—but bring that flavor to more people, more cities, and eventually, more countries.
And none of that would have happened without that first legal step. The day I formed my LLC through InCorp.com wasn’t just a formality. It was the moment I said, “This isn’t just a dream. This is my career.”
So if you’re a home cook with big ideas, this is your sign. Start where you are. Make it official. Share your flavor with the world.
