From Corporate Life to Culinary Dreams: PandaMomo Catering with Owner Harley Cantrell

Tell Us Your Story

In this episode of Tell Us Your Story, we sit down with Harley Cantrell, owner of PandaMomo Catering, to explore his inspiring journey from corporate leadership in the grocery industry to taking a bold leap into entrepreneurship. Harley shares how his artistic background, corporate experience, and role as a stay-at-home dad all led him to build a thriving meal prep and catering business.

PandaMomo Catering specializes in high-quality, fresh, and locally sourced meals, offering a rotating menu of nutritious, chef-prepared dishes. Unlike large meal prep companies, Harley personally crafts each meal with a focus on real ingredients and same-day delivery. His business has grown from a small word-of-mouth operation into a full-scale catering service, handling everything from intimate gatherings to large weddings and corporate events.

We dive into the challenges he faced—including imposter syndrome, financial risks, and external doubts—and how he overcame them by staying true to his vision. Harley also offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, knowing your “why,” and building genuine connections.

Tune in for a compelling conversation about risk, resilience, and redefining success in The Arena.

Chapters

1. From Comic Books to Culinary Entrepreneur (00:00:00)

2. Transitioning to Stay-at-Home Dad and Entrepreneur (00:09:45)

3. From Corporate to Culinary Entrepreneurship (00:18:20)

4. Navigating Entrepreneurship (00:23:03)

5. Panda Momo Meal Prep Business (00:32:52)

6. Navigating Business and Health Insurance (00:43:31)

7. Defining Success and Purpose in Entrepreneurship (00:46:49)

8. Entrepreneurship Advice and Connection Importance (00:53:14)