Jessica HulingLes Sisters Southern Kitchen21818 Devonshire St., Chatsworth(818) 998-0755Website: lessisters.comThe economic lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic have devastated restaurants in California. But Les Sisters Southern Kitchen in Chatsworth saw an uptick in business. So much so that a second restaurant is to open in a few months.Jessica Huling, the restaurant’s owner, explained that Les Sisters always had a strong takeout business. So when governments ordered indoor and then outdoor dining closed, Les Sisters was ready to switch to a takeout-only operation and already enjoyed the reputation as a place to go for takeout dinners.
What’s more, Les Sisters benefited after the Black Lives Matter protests in June prompted more people to patronize Black-owned businesses. The restaurant’s reputation was boosted on social media during that time.The new location, on Nordoff Street in Chatsworth, will be a little more than three miles from the existing restaurant on Devonshire Street, also in Chatsworth. Huling said she hopes to have it open in time for the restaurant’s 35th anniversary in May.“This is a huge accomplishment for the Huling/Les Sisters family and a big win for the Valley,” she said. “I can only hope that we could keep our presence strong after the pandemic.
“Being a Black female business owner during these times has been such a positive blessing. There have been more open doors and opportunities for me to grow than ever before. If you are reading this article, now is the time for black business.”Les Sisters has served New Orleans-inspired food since 1986 when it was established by Bill and Clara Huling. It eventually was turned over to their son, Kevin Huling, who in turn passed it to his daughter, Jessica, in 2014, “marking the beginning of my entrepreneurial career,” she said.“Owning a business is full of stress, responsibilities and risks,” she said. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”She said that to run your own business, you need to rely on yourself. “It may seem nice to set your own schedule and make all the decisions,” she said. “But at the end of the day, it is you who needs to be held accountable, and it’s you who has to show up to put in the work every single day.”Huling admitted that on occasion she thinks about working for someone else and accepting a steady paycheck. “But I know in my heart of hearts that I was built for much more. I feel I wasn’t put here just to coast through life and play it safe,” she said.Her advice to anyone interested in starting a business is this: “The success or failure of your business depends on you. It is your dream. It is your goal. Be willing to put 1,000 percent commitment, time, energy and hustle into your craft. Don’t wait for an opportunity to come – make it happen!”The biggest challenge to operating a business is being able to accept and adapt to change, she added. It may be tempting to fall into a comfortable routine, but that can be a trap.
“If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s being able to roll with the punches and pivot with economic situations. But most importantly, don’t be afraid to try new things.“Every once in a while, break from your normal routine and do something strange for a change.”– Charles Crumpley
Black Entrepreneurs Month: Jessica Huling
