SL_Super Women_0523FINAL.qxp_Profile ( Dept . ) 5 / 31 / 23 1 : 15 PM Page 5 ? ? ave you ever seen anyone angry eating at night markets , food festivals , and private “ Hcake ? ” events . On the menu : all manner of Jamaican - So asks Toni Lorraine Johnson , a longtime influenced food , with options to suit every entrepreneur and culinary proprietor born in taste and lifestyle . South Philadelphia , now living in Delaware If it seems strange for a culinary business County . It was the joy of baking — and one of to specialize in meat - based fare and plant - I want my her five sons ’ embrace of a plant - based diet — based brownies , she refers to a certain estab - that led her to found Dr . Brownies , a plant - lishment created by the Philadelphia - based business to provide based baking company currently based in culinary tandem of Michael Solomonov and opportunities for Richboro . She offers ready - to - eat brownies as Steve Cook : “ If Federal Donuts can sell fried well as refrigerated brownie mixes , all vegan , chicken and doughnuts , why can’t I sell patties people . ” with more products in development . She be - and brownies ? ” lieves her young enterprise has the potential Johnson previously operated restaurants to be the next Mrs . Fields , Auntie Anne’s , or , of her own , both close to home and far afield , given her South Philly roots , Amoroso’s . beyond though her work experience extends have been incarcerated . The hospitality indus - “ I want to sell happiness to people , ” says the hospitality , culinary , and baking worlds . try has been among the “ most forgiving in - Johnson . “ The culinary arts allow you to be She previously worked in human resources , dustries ” for returning citizens , and she wants creative , but baking teaches you patience . ” which would come as no surprise to anyone to play a part in that tradition . A self - described “ poster child for people who takes the time to engage her in conver - No stranger to obstacles , Johnson recalls in a lot with ADHD , ” Johnson has her hands sation . being denied a business loan more than 20 of pots , so to speak . For example , she teaches She envisions Dr . Brownies scaling up in years ago because the bank thought she online and in - person culinary classes , and op - the months and years ahead . When that hap - lacked the proper education or experience . erates a food truck that roves the streets of pens , she intends to utilize the time and talents “ Traditionally , black women have been Philly and surrounding areas , and also appears of “ returning citizens , ” meaning those who denied opportunities , so they don’t have a seat at the table , ” she says . “ They don’t have the infrastructure . As many as 80 percent of black - owned businesses are self - funded . SELLING HAPPINESS When you’re in that position , you get where you need to go through hard work and rela - tionships . ” She has an ambitious goal of raising $ 500,000 to expand her business in the Philadelphia area . So far , she has won nearly $ 30,000 through grants and pitch competi - tions . Her recent selection to Target Forward Founders ’ retail accelerator program should help , too . The program aims to utilize Target’s size and scale to “ democratize access , edu - cation , and resources ” as a way to transform historically under - resourced entrepreneurs into “ the next wave of generational wealth - building companies , ” according to the Target Accelerators website . “ This is about retail readiness , ” Johnson adds . “ It’s a whole different kettle of fish than food truck . … This is an opportunity to go the to the masses . ” Johnson’s eloquence , drive , and person - ality are well suited for the job at hand . While she may describe herself as a “ fly - by - the - seat - of - my - pants girl , ” she also brings the wisdom of experience and knowledge acquired from those who have preceded her ; she is currently in the doctoral program at Cabrini University , studying organizational development . “ I have been given opportunities other ies people have not been given , and to whom own much is given , much is required , ” she says . “ I Br r . know I am truly blessed to be in this position . D f I am doing something I love . … I want my o sy business to provide opportunities for people , urte not just as human capital , but as thriving peo - co o ecosystem . ” ple who are truly part of the hot — BD P SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 9 | 59
