About
Meet Joyce
I am Joyce, the founder and sole member of Came to Eat, a food & beverage specialty retail and consultation company based in Portland, OR.
At Came to Eat, my mission is to create, open, and operate innovative food and beverage retail businesses in Portland that meet community needs and reflect the city's authenticity and diversity.
Leveraging over 15 years of industry experience and a deep connection to Portland's vibrant food scene, I am dedicated to supporting local businesses and fostering community growth.
How am I different?
Industry Expertise
With over 15 years of experience in operations, leadership, supply chain management, and curation in the food and beverage industry, I bring a deep understanding of the sector. My roots in Portland's vibrant food scene and my family's entrepreneurial spirit allow me to anticipate trends and meet market demands effectively. My passion for supporting local businesses and minority ownership drives success and innovation in all my ventures.
Meaningful Participation & Hands-On Involvement
I actively participate in every aspect of my ventures, from product mix and curation to brand development and concept creation. My responsibilities include overseeing store management, product selection and refresh, cost and pricing review, promotional schedules, financial statement review, operational audits, and vendor relationships.
Operational Savviness
My extensive experience in food and beverage retail operations has equipped me to successfully open and operate profitable stores generating up to $5 million in annual revenue. This includes overseeing store design, product selection, and vendor relationships. I have managed teams, ensuring smooth operations and continuous growth. My supply chain management experience has given me a deep understanding of logistics, sales forecasting, and just-in-time inventory.
Extensive Network
I leverage a vast network of contacts and vendors in the Portland food and beverage industry to source the best products and collaborate on innovative concepts. My connections with local makers, from coffee roasters to kombucha startups and specialty product distributors, enable me to form unique and high-quality product offerings.
Curated Offerings
I meticulously curate my product offerings to ensure they resonate with customers. With extensive experience in understanding seasonal trends and access to years of data across multiple product categories, I can anticipate and meet customer demands effectively. Affiliations with specialty food organizations provide early access to new products, keeping me ahead of market trends.
Local Focus
As a Portland native with a Lebanese immigrant background, I am committed to supporting local businesses and showcasing the diversity of Portland's food and beverage scene. My deep roots in the community drive my dedication to highlighting the unique flavors and stories that make Portland special.