How to Open a Food Truck Without Using Your Own Money!

Young Boss with Isabelle Guarino

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with “Chatty” Patty Titcomb, a dynamic hospital administrator at HonorHealth by day and a passionate and successful food truck owner by night. Patty embodies the idea that when you truly love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work—even when you feel stretched thin. It is what it is because you created it and are making it happen!

Patty's story begins with a leap of faith—launching a food truck to bring authentic Nigerian cuisine to Phoenix, a market that’s seen the influx of Ethiopian cuisine, but not Nigerian. As a new mom and newlywed, Patty’s venture wasn’t just about sharing a taste of her heritage; it was about seeing if Phoenix was ready for something fresh and exciting. What really sets Patty apart is her deep commitment to community. By exclusively hiring African and immigrant staff, she’s transformed her business into a platform that not only introduces new flavors but also uplifts and creates opportunities—and community—for those who share her roots.

Patty faces many challenges, ups and downs in running her food truck, from handling maintenance and permits to marketing and educating her customers. But with an innovative mindset, she navigates these obstacles. By blending her healthcare background with her food truck business, she’s created something unique that goes beyond just serving food—it’s about nourishing her community. One of her strategies? Introducing customers to Nigerian cuisine with approachable dishes like Nigerian Tacos, which gradually opens their palates to richer, more authentic flavors.

As we discuss her financial insights, Patty emphasizes the importance of understanding your market and the value of small financial institutions for securing loans such as a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). Patty shares how the CDFI helped her jumpstart business and why she keeps returning to the same well when it’s time to scale her business. She also shares the importance of mentorship, highlighting the guidance she received from local Arizona legends like Joe Johnston – the mastermind behind Agriptopia and Joe’s BBQ.

Patty’s journey highlights resilience, innovation, and the rewards of pursuing what you love. Tune in to hear more about how she balances it all, her thoughts on maintaining work-life boundaries, and her vision for the future of her business.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Young Boss with your host Isabelle Guarino. Be sure to like, share and follow on Instagram and TikTok.

And remember, youth is your power.

Subscribe to Young Boss with Isabelle Guarino wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to like, share and follow on Instagram and TikTok.
And remember, youth is your power.