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Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Mrs. Allison Merriweather of Orange Mound

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mrs. Allison Merriweather . Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Allison, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Gardening and yard work, are two things that make me loose track of time. These activities bring me a sense of peace that I didn’t even know I needed. They are both soothing and relaxing

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Allison Hill Merriweather, I originally hale from the great town of Coldwater, MS. I am an entrepreneur with a strong focus in the food industry, specializing in fried fish and homestyle cooking. My passion lies in creating flavorful, high-quality dishes that bring people together and deliver a true taste of comfort.
My goal is to blend tradition with quality, serving meals that not only satisfy appetites but also create a sense of warmth and community.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
“I believe my parents taught me the most about hard work. Growing up, I watched them run businesses and embody the spirit of entrepreneurship every day. One lesson from my mother has stayed with me since childhood: ‘You are supposed to wait on customers; customers are not supposed to wait on you.’ To me, that means always arriving before your clients—prompt, prepared, and ready to serve.”

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I would have to say, life after unexpected deaths. I would not say that I have healed from them per se. But I will say that I have learned, grew, and built upon them. Death of loved ones has a funny way of changing you and your outlook on life. That change can be for better or worse. It’s up to you to make that decision. Will you carry on legacies, break generational curses and build generational wealth. You have to make the choice to build or break.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
As an entrepreneur, you are required to wear many hats. This doesn’t mean being inauthentic—it means embracing the many versions of yourself that the journey demands. One day you may serve as head of operations or HR director, and the next you may find yourself acting as the cook or even the janitor. Entrepreneurship requires adaptability, and with that flexibility comes resilience—the ability to face life’s unexpected challenges without being easily thrown off course.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
A light I feel I’ve been dimming is my passion for teaching small business startup courses. At heart, I am an educator—I spent 15 years teaching in the Shelby County School District before resigning. Guiding others, discussing their business ideas, and helping them grow is something that truly inspires me. Yet, in the busyness of running my own businesses, I sometimes set this gift aside.

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