For many young entrepreneurs, life after college feels like stepping into the unknown. For rising chefpreneur Kelsey Carter, that step has been bold, intentional, and deeply personal.
“Life has been good,” she says with quiet confidence. “I have been working on building my business and adjusting to life after college. I have stepped boldly into it though.”
Kelsey has always had a plan, but her path to discovering that plan was not a straight line. When she first arrived at college, she imagined herself opening her own psychology practice. Later, she shifted to early childhood development. Then she moved again toward business. Through every pivot, there was one constant, she always knew she wanted something of her own, even when she was still figuring out exactly what that something would be.
She says the version of herself who walked across the graduation stage is not too different from the woman she is today, just more disciplined. “I knew that I was going to make it work,” she says. “It is really just staying disciplined with what I am doing.”
But the journey has not been just about food. It has been about learning who she is in rooms, conversations, and communities. Her time working here at WOLF Radio, an unexpected chapter while launching her culinary brand, left her with a lesson she did not realize she needed.
“I learned how to listen,” she says. “I used to listen just so I could respond. Now I actually listen and take into consideration what others are saying and their feedback.”
The Heart of LaCheffeCarter
If you ask Kelsey where her culinary roots come from, she does not hesitate. The South, her childhood, and the dishes that shaped her.
“My yams,” she says with a smile. “That is one dish from my childhood that still influences my menu today.”
But the dish that truly defines her, her culinary identity in food form, is her macaroni and cheese.
“If you look at it, it looks the same from when I was younger,” she explains. “But the ingredients are different now and you would not know that unless you tried it. That is me now. I appear to be the same on the outside looking in, but if you were to talk to me, you would see how much I have changed.”
The Weight Behind the Work
LaCheffeCarter is growing, and with growth comes challenges. The most rewarding part for Kelsey is not the sales or the recognition. It is the impact.
“Inspiring people,” she says. “There are so many people who have told me what I am doing is inspiring, and honestly that makes it worth it.”
Her work is not only inspiring customers but also gaining recognition within the local business community. The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce recently highlighted her during one of their morning events, writing:
“We kicked off our morning with coffee, conversation, and banana pudding. Huge thanks to Kelsey Carter, founder of Karter Kitchen and Nana Pudding Co., for sharing her entrepreneurial journey and treating us to her famous banana pudding. Kelsey spoke about the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, sharing her journey with attendees who engaged in thoughtful discussion about local business growth and innovation. There is no better way to start the day than by engaging with inspiring professionals and meaningful conversation.”
But even with praise and growing support, the journey is not always easy.
“Doing this by myself,” she admits. “It is a lot on your mental and it can be really hard because sometimes people only see you for the food, not that you are an actual person. I am a human who is just trying her best.”
Still, Kelsey is far from done cooking up dreams. She is pushing forward with new ideas and plans for the new year. “I have a lot of things I am working on heading into the new year, and I am excited about it.”
Rapid Fire with Kelsey
- Favorite spice: Cinnamon
- Favorite comfort meal: Her best friend’s chicken pot pie
- Least favorite thing to cook? “Chicken. But frying it. I like to be hands on and it does not take much to fry it.”
If you’d like to check out her food, below are her social media pages!
Instagram: lacheffecarter & nanapudding.co
Youtube: KarterKitchenTV
