When Latoya Larkin, a private chef, mentioned to her son her plan to create tamales using leftover collard greens from a Mother’s Day brunch, he initially expressed doubt. He humorously remarked, "Mama, you trippin’," suggesting they stick to more traditional ingredients like chicken and pork. However, after trying her unique fusion tamale, he quickly became a fan, as did Larkin’s clients, despite their initial skepticism.
Tamales, a beloved dish originating from Mexico and Central America, typically consist of chile-spiced pork, chicken, or beef enveloped in masa and steamed in corn husks. Larkin, known for her expertise in soul food, began experimenting with fillings and flavors that blend elements from the American South, the Caribbean, and south of the border. Alongside her popular collard greens and smoked turkey tamales, she offers varieties such as oxtail, red beans and rice, creole sausage, curry chicken, and jambalaya tamales under her brand "Black Girl Tamales," established in 2019.
As a Black female entrepreneur, Larkin is part of a rapidly growing demographic, facing substantial challenges such as limited access to external funding and entry into industries with fierce competition and slim profit margins, like the restaurant sector. To address these challenges, Larkin has embraced Strive USA, an innovative initiative led by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, which aims to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and resources to secure funding, digitize their operations, and expand their networks.
Larkin, who has received formal culinary training and previously served as a culinary instructor in Houston’s Spring Independent School District, where she notably became the first Black chef to lead the district’s culinary program, inherited the art of tamale-making from her grandmother. Her grandmother, introduced to tamales by a Mexican friend during her time in California in the 1960s, turned tamale-making into a side hustle upon returning to Texas, passing down the tradition to Larkin's mother and eventually to Larkin herself.
Tamales, with a history possibly spanning back 10,000 years, hold profound historical and cultural significance, even being offered as sacrifices to gods in ancient times. Today, families often gather, particularly during Christmas, for tamaladas, or tamale-making parties, continuing the tradition across generations.
Larkin’s fusion of soul food and traditional tamales shook up the culinary scene, as she proudly states, "There's nothing quite like what I'm doing." However, building Black Girl Tamales came with its share of hurdles, from dealing with a break-in to facing criticism about cultural appropriation. "I've heard remarks like 'Stick to your own cuisine,' 'Stay in your lane,' or 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'"
Despite the challenges, Larkin sees her soul food tamales as a form of innovation—melding two rich culinary traditions to craft something fresh. And with adventurous food enthusiasts seeking bold flavors, she found a receptive audience; a 2020 feature in Cuisine Noir sparked a surge in orders from all corners of the country.
Yet, it wasn't until two years into the venture that Larkin felt confident enough to leave her job as a culinary educator. Even then, doubts lingered. "I kept thinking, 'I've only got a few more paychecks left, then it's all on me,'" Larkin recalls, reminiscing about a moment of uncertainty.
Her turning point came unexpectedly, during a webinar led by a woman teaching about copper deficiency in goats, a topic most of her colleagues knew little about. "If she can make a living teaching something so niche," Larkin realized, "then surely I can succeed with food."
This newfound self-assurance laid the groundwork for her flourishing business. "Many people lack faith in themselves. They shy away from taking risks and betting on their own abilities."
Looking ahead, Larkin aims to revolutionize her tamale enterprise by securing prominent retail placements and expanding into commercial food services. She's transitioning her business model from retail and direct-to-consumer e-commerce to wholesale, with a promising partnership with a major U.S. retailer already in progress. Additionally, she recently earned a wine sommelier certification through the McBride Sisters She Can Fund scholarship program, paving the way for expanded offerings such as wine dinners with curated tamale pairings and other special events.
For entrepreneurs like Larkin, learning never stops. She recently completed a 24-week training program that combined Mastercard's Digital Doors curriculum, focusing on enhancing digital operations, with Our Village United's Elevated entrepreneurship initiative, part of BeyGood's Black Parade Route initiative for small-business owners. Elevated integrates essential business aspects like operations, marketing, sales, and fundraising with wellness support to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.
Recently, Black Girl Tamales received recognition among numerous small businesses in the U.S. by being selected as a recipient of a Mastercard Priceless Surprise. This prize encompassed an exclusive VIP photo and video shoot tailored for social media to enhance her marketing efforts.
In today's landscape, being the owner of a small business as a Black woman is synonymous with being part of a larger movement, according to Larkin. "I see it as answering my calling and fulfilling my purpose," she affirms. "Every moment of this journey brings me joy."
Tamales, a beloved dish originating from Mexico and Central America, typically consist of chile-spiced pork, chicken, or beef enveloped in masa and steamed in corn husks. Larkin, known for her expertise in soul food, began experimenting with fillings and flavors that blend elements from the American South, the Caribbean, and south of the border. Alongside her popular collard greens and smoked turkey tamales, she offers varieties such as oxtail, red beans and rice, creole sausage, curry chicken, and jambalaya tamales under her brand "Black Girl Tamales," established in 2019.
As a Black female entrepreneur, Larkin is part of a rapidly growing demographic, facing substantial challenges such as limited access to external funding and entry into industries with fierce competition and slim profit margins, like the restaurant sector. To address these challenges, Larkin has embraced Strive USA, an innovative initiative led by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, which aims to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and resources to secure funding, digitize their operations, and expand their networks.
Larkin, who has received formal culinary training and previously served as a culinary instructor in Houston’s Spring Independent School District, where she notably became the first Black chef to lead the district’s culinary program, inherited the art of tamale-making from her grandmother. Her grandmother, introduced to tamales by a Mexican friend during her time in California in the 1960s, turned tamale-making into a side hustle upon returning to Texas, passing down the tradition to Larkin's mother and eventually to Larkin herself.
Tamales, with a history possibly spanning back 10,000 years, hold profound historical and cultural significance, even being offered as sacrifices to gods in ancient times. Today, families often gather, particularly during Christmas, for tamaladas, or tamale-making parties, continuing the tradition across generations.
Larkin’s fusion of soul food and traditional tamales shook up the culinary scene, as she proudly states, "There's nothing quite like what I'm doing." However, building Black Girl Tamales came with its share of hurdles, from dealing with a break-in to facing criticism about cultural appropriation. "I've heard remarks like 'Stick to your own cuisine,' 'Stay in your lane,' or 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'"
Despite the challenges, Larkin sees her soul food tamales as a form of innovation—melding two rich culinary traditions to craft something fresh. And with adventurous food enthusiasts seeking bold flavors, she found a receptive audience; a 2020 feature in Cuisine Noir sparked a surge in orders from all corners of the country.
Yet, it wasn't until two years into the venture that Larkin felt confident enough to leave her job as a culinary educator. Even then, doubts lingered. "I kept thinking, 'I've only got a few more paychecks left, then it's all on me,'" Larkin recalls, reminiscing about a moment of uncertainty.
Her turning point came unexpectedly, during a webinar led by a woman teaching about copper deficiency in goats, a topic most of her colleagues knew little about. "If she can make a living teaching something so niche," Larkin realized, "then surely I can succeed with food."
This newfound self-assurance laid the groundwork for her flourishing business. "Many people lack faith in themselves. They shy away from taking risks and betting on their own abilities."
Looking ahead, Larkin aims to revolutionize her tamale enterprise by securing prominent retail placements and expanding into commercial food services. She's transitioning her business model from retail and direct-to-consumer e-commerce to wholesale, with a promising partnership with a major U.S. retailer already in progress. Additionally, she recently earned a wine sommelier certification through the McBride Sisters She Can Fund scholarship program, paving the way for expanded offerings such as wine dinners with curated tamale pairings and other special events.
For entrepreneurs like Larkin, learning never stops. She recently completed a 24-week training program that combined Mastercard's Digital Doors curriculum, focusing on enhancing digital operations, with Our Village United's Elevated entrepreneurship initiative, part of BeyGood's Black Parade Route initiative for small-business owners. Elevated integrates essential business aspects like operations, marketing, sales, and fundraising with wellness support to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.
Recently, Black Girl Tamales received recognition among numerous small businesses in the U.S. by being selected as a recipient of a Mastercard Priceless Surprise. This prize encompassed an exclusive VIP photo and video shoot tailored for social media to enhance her marketing efforts.
In today's landscape, being the owner of a small business as a Black woman is synonymous with being part of a larger movement, according to Larkin. "I see it as answering my calling and fulfilling my purpose," she affirms. "Every moment of this journey brings me joy."