On this episode of Small Business, Big Conversations, I had the honor of sitting down with Chef Tiwanna Scott-Williams—an entrepreneur, chef, and community-builder whose journey from the ICU to the kitchen is as inspiring as it is delicious.
Rooted in Family Legacy
Tiwanna's story begins in Cleveland, where the influence of her grandmothers, Pearline and Delores, shaped not only her love of food but her outlook on life. Their spirit of resilience and care became the foundation of everything she would later build. Even while working as a Registered Nurse in the ICU, Tiwanna found herself drawn to cooking, channeling her passion into catering on the side.
From Side Hustle to Signature Brand
What started as a small catering hustle quickly transformed into a thriving business. PearlFlower Catering became known for soulful, heartfelt food that brought people together. The demand and recognition inspired Tiwanna to take her vision further, expanding into Pearl's Kitchen, a restaurant brand built on love, community, and grit.
Her food and leadership didn't go unnoticed. Tiwanna soon became a featured chef at Rocket Arena and has now opened multiple Pearl's Kitchen locations. Most recently, she launched her flagship restaurant inside Cleveland's MidTown Collaboration Center, a milestone that marks not just growth, but permanence and legacy.
More Than Just Food
For Tiwanna, food is about more than filling plates. It's about honoring family, serving community, and creating opportunities. Every dish carries her story, her values, and her mission to build something lasting. She's not just feeding people, she's feeding a movement rooted in culture and connection.
Hear Her Story
Chef Tiwanna's journey is one of reinvention, resilience, and heart. She's living proof that entrepreneurship isn't always about leaving something behind… it can also be about carrying something forward, honoring the past while shaping the future.
I hope you find her story as inspiring as I did. Watch this episode of Small Business, Big Conversations below to hear Chef Tiwanna share her journey in her own words.
This season of Small Business, Big Conversations is brought to you in partnership with Erie Bank and Impressia Bank, both dedicated to helping small business owners access the capital and resources they need to grow their ventures.
