In the US, pineapple upside down cake became popular in the mid-1920s after the Dole Pineapple Company sponsored a contest for pineapple recipes. 70 Years later, my Aunt Chenise’s pineapple upside down cake recipe was one of my childhood favs. It was my notorious sweet tooth and Tik Tok that led me to the “pinkalicious” Inner City Café in Orange, NJ. I love how founder, Dr. Fatima Turner reimagined some her favorite childhood dishes via her Inner City Café menu. My passion for “working from roam” at places like Turner’s irresistibly pretty, pink and chic vision has made Inner City Café one of my favorite meet up spots.
PGRW: You mentioned that one can always give away things, but the biggest gift is knowledge and support. What's your #1 tip for women who are thinking about trading in the security of a traditional 9-5 job to become an entrepreneur and don't know where to start?
Dr. Fatima Turner: In addition to opening Inner City Café in 2022, I am a therapist that owns a private practice. Throughout my life, I've always been the one to just try something and if it doesn't work then I'll try something else, so it doesn’t surprise me that I’ve been an entrepreneur for most of my life. Running a brick-and-mortar business is extremely different from running my private practice. On this café owner journey; I realized the importance of a business plan, the importance of having access to capital and networking with people who are in the same industry. Sometimes the mindset of “what’s for me is just for me” can block people from sharing their knowledge; not realizing that when we help each other we help ourselves. Don’t be afraid to network with other businesses in the industry you are looking to launch in. Ask about their journey….are there things they could have done differently? Remember your business is a part of your story and no one can “steal” your story, because it is made of your experiences and perspective.
PGRW: I love how involved Inner City Cafe is with the community. Looking back on your journey as a cafe owner, what are some of the most valuable lessons you've learned along the way?
Dr. Fatima Turner: Resources are needed for organizations to function effectively. While partnerships are very important, you have to be strategic with whom you are partnering with. Collaborations are a joint effort that shouldn’t exhaust the resources of the partners that are involved. While I’m heavily involved in the community and do a lot of community events, scaling is also an important part of keeping the Inner City Café doors open in order to continue to support as a pillar within the community. I recently received an award for the domestic violence awareness work that I do in the community and I am proud to say that Inner City Café is also a hub the provides support to domestic violence survivors. Lastly, when strategizing on budget, find the right balance between ambiance and necessity.
PGRW: Featured on our "Pink List" customers travel from far and wide to your beautiful pink cafe. What is the best piece of travel advice that you have received in your own travels?
Dr. Fatima Turner: Prior to opening the café, I traveled the world and would just jump on a plane and go. Someone once said to me, you need at least 3 days on the ground and I think that's a good piece of travel advice that I have carried with me throughout my travels. Having at least 3 days on the ground in a city enables me to detach, unwind and reset.
PGRW: What skills have you developed through your travel experiences that you think are valuable in the workplace?
Dr. Fatima Turner: There is a whole world outside of the United States that we, as Americans, are not at the center of it. When I visited Brazil, I was surrounded by locals who didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Portuguese. This was a humbling trip that reminded me how much you can learn when you are open to the cultural perspectives of others. As a therapist that is seeing clients from all different walks of life, being able to look at experiences from a different lens helps me to be able to be an active listener. Active listening is an important part of the service industry. Taking the time to listen to customer feedback enables you to give them the best service. I can certainly say that traveling has helped me with honing those skills. Also, everytime I travel I like to visit different cafes to try different coffees to expand my knowledge on what’s trending while expanding my palette.
PGRW: The World Food Travel Association defines "food travel" as "the pursuit and enjoyment of unique and memorable food and drink experiences, both far and near. What can foodies look forward to when experiencing Inner City Cafe's menu?
Dr. Fatima Turner: Their morning coffee sip sesh is going to get a lot more enjoyable. Inner City Café is a shabby chic, instagrammable eatery with a unique vibe that has changed the way we experience food. I have brought some of the meals that I have enjoyed growing up; like bacon, egg and cheese (but on a brioche bun), grilled cheese with 3 different deluxe cheeses or chicken & waffles (full menu here). Our drink refreshers come in popular flavors, like Pink Dragon Fruit and Dragon Fruit Lychee. We are looking forward to continuing to add to the menu as we grow.
“No matter where you go in the world a cup of coffee is an excuse to share great thoughts with great minds.” - unknown