Catering to Your Health

Posted by nlydstaff in Motivational Stories

Chris Paul, Founder of Green Cart Catering

- Written by Nicolle Morales

“Never Let You Down means not taking no for an answer. It’s about getting things done, especially in the food industry, where there are a lot of barriers if you aren’t persistent.” – Christopher Paul

At the young age of 21, Christopher Paul wants to change the way people in Philadelphia enjoy their food. He seeks to provide one of a kind, healthy alternatives to the regular lunch truck foods – cheese steaks, chicken tenders, fries etc. – while educating his customers on what they are eating and why. Knowledge, he says that is missing from everyday food choices.

As a Drexel University senior studying Culinary Arts with a minor in Entrepreneurship, he seeks to open Green Carts, a mobile street carts and delivery service that will provide healthy breakfast and lunch to college students, athletes and professionals in the area.

Founder/CEO of Green Cart Catering

“As a freshman I didn’t want to graduate and work for someone else,” Paul says of the inspiration for Green Carts.

Born in Haiti, Paul was raised in Brooklyn from the age of 10 and speaks both French and Creole. Both his older brother and sister still live in Haiti. His brother graduated from culinary school and is a chef in his own catering company. Paul’s sister studied education and currently works as the vice principle of an American elementary school in Haiti.

Paul’s family was only affected by the earthquake through loss of assets and not lives, as they were fortunate enough to live outside of the immediately affected area.

While the mobile vending carts are scheduled to hit the streets in the next six to nine months, that is just the start of the empire that Paul plans to build. His business plan also includes a catering service, fitness training for students, becoming a vendor on Drexel’s campus, podcasts to provide weekly recipes for the average family and eventually a franchise that could have the carts serving the entire city and beyond.

Healthy Appetizers 2

Healthy Appetizers 1

“I also want to cater to the nutritional needs of student athletes with prepaid meals and continue my work as a personal trainer to students,” says the young man whose friends describe him as extremely physically active.

There was a time when Paul was not sure that he would finish college and maybe take a similar route Bill gates did, but the thought of finishing something he started encouraged him to keep going and he is looking forward to graduating and getting his business off the ground. As a balance to his studies and work on Green carts, Paul is a member of the Drexel Chess Club and the West Indian Student Establishment.

“Financial freedom is what keeps me motivated about Green Carts and looking at the bigger picture enables me to strive during the difficult start up phases of Green Carts,” Paul says.

During his co-ops (six month internships), Paul worked for Starr Events, Jeffery A. Miller Catering and his own company, Green carts. First-hand experience in the industry opened his eyes to the profit margin possible and the ease of entry into the world of food service. Paul’s co-op advisor and Drexel’s Baiada center provided him guidance in achieving his goal.

“To me, Never Let You Down means not taking no for an answer. It’s about getting things done, especially in the food industry where there are a lot of barriers if you aren’t persistent,” Paul explains.

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