Wing Suite: Embodying Entrepreneurial Spirit and Crafting Company Culture

Atlanta, Georgia – Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career path; it’s a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and community impact. Kartisha Henry, the visionary founder behind Wing Suite, embodies this spirit of entrepreneurship through her unwavering determination and commitment to empowering her community and mentoring her team. From humble beginnings to spreading her wings with a second location, Kartisha’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring business owners everywhere. Learn how Kartisha overcomes challenges and creates a company culture that keeps her employees in the Wing Suite family.

A Journey Rooted in the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Kartisha’s entrepreneurial journey traces back to her childhood, where she and her cousin embarked on their first business venture, a clothing line called Sassy, at the tender age of 8. This early exposure to entrepreneurship ignited a lifelong passion within Kartisha, leading her to explore various business endeavors as a serial entrepreneur. Despite the twists and turns along the way, Kartisha’s entrepreneurial spirit keeps her going in challenging times.

Originally hailing from Pensacola, Florida, Kartisha’s path eventually led her to Atlanta, Georgia, where she now owns Wing Suite, a successful fast-casual restaurant. Kartisha is a veteran, having served in the Army for over a decade, before earning a college degree and pursuing a career in logistics and supply chain management, eventually settling in the Atlanta area with her family.

The Birth of Wing Suite: Where Passion Meets Purpose

For Kartisha, Wing Suite represents the culmination of her diverse experiences and unwavering determination to make a difference. The idea for Wing Suite emerged from a blend of her entrepreneurial drive and her quest to fill a void in Atlanta’s culinary landscape. Inspired by her love for wings and the lack of quality options in the area, Kartisha embarked on a mission to create a space where exceptional food and community engagement intersected seamlessly.

With meticulous planning, hours of research, and a clear vision in mind, Kartisha brought Wing Suite to life, leveraging her expertise in purchasing and her entrepreneurial acumen to navigate the intricacies of the restaurant industry. In 2019, she opened the doors to the first Wing Suite location, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her entrepreneurial journey.

Kartisha has honed her knowledge and grown her network by participating in several programs with AOF, including the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Restaurants, the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab, and the Brewing the American Dream program. She’s also been a featured webinar speaker for AOF, sharing her insights on building customer loyalty.

Overcoming Challenges and Building Community

As Wing Suite began to spread its wings, Kartisha encountered her fair share of challenges, especially with the expansion to a second location in Lawrenceville, Georgia. From navigating permitting issues to overcoming gender biases in a male-dominated industry, Kartisha’s journey has been defined by resilience and determination. Through it all, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to building a supportive community both within and beyond the walls of Wing Suite.

Overcoming Gender Bias in Entrepreneurship: Insights from Kartisha

As a trailblazing entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Kartisha has faced her fair share of gender bias throughout her journey with Wing Suite. However, she hasn’t let these challenges deter her from pursuing her passion and breaking down barriers for minority women in entrepreneurship. Here are some invaluable insights and tips from Kartisha on overcoming gender bias in the business world:

• Confident Communication: Kartisha emphasizes the importance of assertive communication when navigating interactions with contractors, salespeople, and other industry professionals. By confidently articulating her expertise and knowledge, she challenges stereotypes and earns the respect of her peers.
• Thorough Research: Before entering any business meeting or negotiation, Kartisha conducts thorough research on the individuals she’ll be interacting with and the topic at hand. Armed with knowledge and preparation, she approaches these encounters with confidence and a clear understanding of her worth.
• Collaborating with Women-Owned Businesses: Kartisha recognizes the power of collaboration and actively seeks out partnerships with women-owned businesses and minority-owned enterprises. By supporting and uplifting fellow entrepreneurs, she cultivates a supportive network that champions diversity and inclusivity and understands the unique challenges faces by minority women in the business world.
• Projecting Confidence: Confidence is key when combating gender bias in the entrepreneurial landscape. Kartisha encourages women to project confidence in their abilities and knowledge, asserting themselves as equals in every business interaction. Kartisha emphasizes that you don’t want to be arrogant, but you don’t want to be pushed around or underestimated either. Strike a balance with kind confidence. Remember that you don’t have to know everything, and asking informed questions is encouraged.
• Building a Strong Team: Surrounding herself with a diverse and talented team has been instrumental in Kartisha’s journey. By assembling a team of individuals who share her vision and values, she creates a supportive environment where everyone’s contributions are valued and respected.

Fostering a Vibrant Company Culture at Wing Suite

Drawing upon her own experiences, Kartisha actively mentors high school students in her community, instilling in them the same entrepreneurial spirit that has guided her own path. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and resilience, encouraging aspiring young entrepreneurs to embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth. This is a philosophy she brings into her restaurant, where she mentors her employees, many of whom are high school and college-aged young adults.

Empowerment and Belonging

At the heart of Wing Suite lies a deep-rooted commitment to fostering a company culture of empowerment and belonging. Kartisha’s dedication to her employees extends far beyond the confines of the workplace, as she strives to create a familial atmosphere (most of her employees affectionately call her “Ma”) where every individual feels valued and supported. Through initiatives such as summer trips, holiday gatherings, and ongoing mentorship, Kartisha ensures that her team members not only excel professionally but also thrive personally.

Building a thriving company culture is essential for fostering employee engagement, promoting teamwork, and driving business success. Kartisha Henry understands the importance of cultivating a positive and inclusive work environment at Wing Suite. Here are some key strategies she employs to nurture a vibrant company culture:

• Family-Like Atmosphere: Kartisha prioritizes creating a family-like atmosphere at Wing Suite, where employees feel valued, supported, and appreciated. By fostering strong bonds and connections among team members, she cultivates a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
• Recognition and Appreciation: Acknowledging and appreciating the hard work and dedication of her team members is a cornerstone of Kartisha’s leadership approach. She regularly expresses gratitude and recognition for their contributions, remembering that might be the only praise they get that day.
• Open Communication: Open and transparent communication is essential for fostering trust and collaboration within the workplace. Kartisha encourages an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback openly.
• Investing in Employee Development: Kartisha prioritizes investing in the professional development and growth of her team members. At Wing Suite, employees aren’t afraid to make mistakes; they are expected to correct them and grow from the experience. It’s about learning and taking responsibility for your work. Kartisha empowers employees to reach their full potential.
• Whole-Person Approach: Recognizing that there is so much more to an employee than the work they do, Kartisha strives to create a supportive work environment at Wing Suite. She understands that happy and fulfilled employees are more productive and engaged in their roles. Kartisha’s simple, but effective method to implement this approach includes knowing her employees and pulling them aside to talk if they seem off.
• Mentorship: Kartisha also actively mentors her employees not just in their roles, but in life. She teaches them life skills they might not get elsewhere and encourages them to think about next steps after their time in food service, like college or career goals.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a vibrant company culture, Kartisha Henry has created a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to achieve their goals. As Wing Suite continues to thrive and expand, Kartisha remains committed to nurturing a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and excellence.

In a particularly poignant moment, Kartisha shared stories of former employees who come by to visit when they are home from college, team members who hang out at Wing Suite on their day off because they miss the Wing Suite family. One former employee was working at another restaurant that was able to pay a higher wage, but came back to Wing Suite because of the positive company culture.

Cultivating Customer Loyalty: A Pillar of Success for Wing Suite

Another key to building community around Wing Suite is cultivating customer loyalty. In Kartisha Henry’s entrepreneurial playbook, fostering customer loyalty is not just a business strategy; it’s a fundamental principle that underpins the success of Wing Suite. Through innovative initiatives such as the Five Stars Customer Loyalty Program and the Wing Suite mobile app, Kartisha has prioritized creating an exceptional customer experience that keeps patrons coming back for more. By offering personalized incentives, timely reminders, and seamless ordering options, Wing Suite has earned a dedicated following of loyal customers who feel valued and appreciated, like they are part of the family. Kartisha’s unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction underscores her dedication to building a thriving business rooted in strong relationships and lasting connections.

Embracing the Future with Wings Spread Wide

As Kartisha looks toward the future, her entrepreneurial journey shows no signs of slowing down. With the imminent opening of Wing Suite’s second location and a steadfast commitment to community engagement, Kartisha continues to lead by example, inspiring others to chase their dreams and make a meaningful impact.

In a world where resilience, community, and empowerment reign supreme, Kartisha Henry and Wing Suite stand as shining beacons of hope, proving that with passion, perseverance, and community, anything is possible.