Where You Should Be Spending Your Money: Daddy’s Girl BBQ

It’s another glorious Friday! And it’s time for us to highlight more amazing black entrepreneurs! In Where You Should Be Spending Your Money, we showcase the various businesses available in our community that we can support to inspire you to cycle your very important and all-powerful dollar amongst people that look like you and have YOU in mind. Today we feature, Daddy’s Girl BBQ.

IHTG: Tell us a little about yourself (hometown, family life, etc.)

Daddy's Girl BBQ — Markie Darling, owner Daddy’s Girl BBQ

I’m Markie Darling, a native of Miami, Florida. I relocated to Atlanta in the fall of 2000. I’m a Certified Payroll Specialist, with over 10 years of executive level experience in Management, Human Resources, and Customer Service. I’m currently employed as a Senior Executive Payroll Specialist with a prominent payroll company in Atlanta. Simultaneously, I pursue my passion as an established business owner and entrepreneur of Daddy’s Girl BBQ. As a very active participant in the community, I’m a member of the Eastern Star organization, which lends itself to helping community-based non-profit organizations, Bags of Hope, The American Red Cross, and The United Way. I am also an active member of Faith Walk Ministries, where I serve on the Board of Trustees.

IHTG: What motivated you to start this business?

Cooking is my comfort zone so when one of my Pastors asked me “What is the only thing that you can do and not be paid and still have fulfillment?” I knew then that I needed to start my catering business.

IHTG: Tell us about your business (what product or service do you offer, your typical customer, etc.).

Daddy’s Girl BBQ is a catering company founded in 2015 during my breast cancer recovery period. Having the privilege of working in an industry that I love and in an area so special to myself, makes every day absolutely AMAZING! At Daddy’s Girl BBQ, we have put a great deal of energy into ensuring that our guests are treated as family.

IHTG: How does your business give back to the community?

My business allows for me to fund several charity events for my Eastern Star chapter and also as given back via my nonprofit Club Xhell Youth Life Center.

IHTG: What advice would you give to someone considering starting a business?

Find and work with a mentor for 2 -3 years before branching out on your own. The knowledge and experience is PRICELESS.

IHTG: What is the best advice you’ve received since starting your business?

To keep GOD at the head of my business and everything else will fall into its respective place.

You can learn more about Daddy’s Girl BBQ and their services by visiting her online at www.daddysgirlbbq.com, Facebook and Instagram @DaddysGirlBBQ.

I Hear That Girl

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