![]() ![]() Wally’s Waffles Catering Services is a catering business that is based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. So, as you know, we’re impressed with Wally’s Waffles – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others. In summary, I realized the learning process is part of the experience in starting a business and sticking it out can result in great satisfaction when things go right. I guess becoming an expert waffler means you have to get banged up a little along the course. His enlightening response, “Why didn’t you just crush them in a large bag?” In that moment, I had an “Oreo Epiphany!” which is life-changing in the waffling world. The ER nurse chuckled at me after I explained that I had almost cut my finger off trying to cut Oreos for waffles. In addition to two car accidents, my most exciting struggle was learning how to crush Oreos in an ER room. My first catering event, I showed up with about 30 grocery bags and 2 old tables that weighed over 60 lbs… taking me 12 trips one way to set up. Once the ball was rolling, I encountered operational struggles in efficiency and transportation. It wasn’t until I had a few believers (whom I praise to this day) hire me, that friends, family, and the public began to recognize the uniqueness in the service and the delicious product offered. Considering my personality, it was perceived as a joke. The initial struggle was communicating to the public that this concept was realistic. Anyone who watches Shark Tank knows that launching even a basic business alone can be daunting. ![]() With any new business venture, there were a handful of roadblocks and countless struggles. ![]() My goal is to bring the waffle bar experience to fore, to help Wally’s Waffles, LLC grow to become the number one choice for a unique waffle catering experience in the Chicago and Chicagoland area. Each waffle was perfected after months – year of experiments in recipes and processes. I had mastered two different waffles styles found in Belgium: The Liege and Brussels. After speaking with many different people (varying from business owners to other waffle enthusiasts), reading hundreds of articles, watching countless YouTube videos, and offering countless samples and catering demonstrations, I recognized that this concept was viable and started writing a business plan. With this thought in mind, I began to do market research. Finally, I decided that I would enter in the catering/food industry. After 2 years of self-practice with recipes, and a handful of satisfied family and friends, I pondered a way that I could continue my odd hobby. I specialized in waffle baking after uncovering an old generic waffle maker my father had bought for me. I began to cook and bake at home regularly and found it very appealing and enjoyable. While serving at a café restaurant in Burr Ridge, IL, I developed cooking and food service skills. During college, I worked in the cafe restaurant industry because it was a good source of income for college expenses. ![]() I received my Bachelor and Masters in Business Administration from Lewis University. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there. Thanks for sharing your story with us Wally. Today we’d like to introduce you to Wally Strzepka. ![]()
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