CHARISSE SPEAKS!

Charisse McGill, Founder and Owner of Lokal Artisan Foods, saw the pandemic’s impact immediately. A newer business born out of a farmers’ market in suburban Philadelphia in 2020, McGill was two years into the open-air food market scene after having gained local acclaim for her gourmet French Toast Bites. With an entire business model built on large gatherings and lots of people, McGill knew she needed a plan if her company would survive the unknown. Her primary goals were simple: 1) quickly respond to a changing market place; 2) form strategic partnerships; and 3) maintain brand identity.

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Charisse looks beyond the conventional constructs of being a food market vendor, having changed the perception of how and when French Toast Bites should be consumed. McGill’s signature French Toast Bites has evolved into a beer, a coffee and spice through partnerships and pivots.  The beer collabroation in 2021 with Yards Brewing Company, made Charisse the first Black woman in the state of Pennsylvania with a signature beer on the market. 

Her passionate exploration of the importance of relationships, food, business principles and community impact ensures an unforgettable experience for any audience.

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CORE TOPICS:

• Food Marketing: What you ‘make’ vs. what you ‘sell’

• Relationship Building & Networking

• Local Food Eco-systems & Economies

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Product Line Extensions: “Extend but don’t bend”

• Brand Communication

CORE AUDIENCES:​​

• Professional Women

• Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• Youth & Young Adults (16-24 y.o.)