Meet KIM LAGA | Healthy School Lunch Provider

We had the good fortune of connecting with KIM LAGA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi KIM, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been in the event/hospitality industry for years at this point and was flourishing in my field. I was working evenings, weekends, and many many hours a week. I met the man of my dreams and his son and soon realized that I couldn’t keep up my job while trying to be a stepmom and wife. An opportunity fell into my lap to start a healthy food company serving children’s lunches. I thought with my culinary degree and my degree in Psychology and Child Development, what could be more perfect? I felt like this was utilizing all of my abilities and would fit better into my new reality.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It seems strange to think of what I’ve done in my “career” to get to this point in my life. Did I ever think I’d be a “lunch lady”? Heavens, no I did not, but I wouldn’t change the path that my life and career have taken. I’ve always wanted to own my own company and have had the entrepreneur bug. I knew nothing of owning a business, having employees, HR, you name it…but, I figured it out through mentors, books, google, and my own experience with my previous employers. I knew how I wanted to run a company, manage staff, and the community I wanted to build. I truly feel fortunate for my experiences and the people I met who were small business owners, had employees and gave me the advice I needed. I am proudest of the fact that I did it on my own, believed in my dream, and somehow made it happen. I had to learn the hard way about hiring the wrong people, being taken advantage of, standing up for myself, and never losing focus on my end goal. I wanted to make my family proud and support them. I wanted to give my kids opportunities I didn’t have. When all the banks told me no to funding, I didn’t give up. I used credit cards to start my business and had them paid off within 2 years. I now have banks knocking down my doors wanting to give me money. Being a small business is hard, really hard. The pandemic also proved to me how strong I am and determined. I kept my team together and after a couple of years, I am a stronger and healthier company because of it.
My brand means so many things to me. “Grateful Plate” is so intentional. I truly believe that there isn’t enough gratitude in the world. If each person woke up each day and felt grateful for just one thing, it would change their day and then someone else’s day for the better. I try to show my gratitude every day to myself, my family, and the community I’ve built that surrounds me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting and I wanted to show them places that were important to me, I would start with my home. I love entertaining and having friends over. So much so, that when we remodeled our home we made the kitchen the center of the room with no walls so I could be cooking while talking to everyone. I would also take her to the Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary and snuggle on some cows. We would eat brunch at Urban Egg and dinner at Los Dos Potrillos. I also love the Littleton downtown area and boutique shopping. That would be a perfect weekend!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am in my company without the support of my husband. Steve has always been my biggest cheerleader. I had just had our baby boy and was starting my new business while still working my corporate job, and he was there supporting us and the vision I had for it all. There were some major bumps in the road to where the company is today, and he stuck by me through it all. My children were also my inspiration. I knew the quality of food in the public school system and that I had a responsibility to my kids and others to help to make it better. I often told my sons that they were my “tasters” and this got them to try different things all the while getting them to eat better and expand their pallet. I fear I’ve created monsters that now freely give their opinion on my cooking!

Website: www.gratefulplatedenver.com

Instagram: kimlaga

Facebook: Kimberlee Nuss-Laga