Daily Inspiration: Meet Trish Sams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Sams.

Hi Trish, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

Some of you may wonder, where did this girl come from? Well, this is my story…

My name is Trish Sams, and I was born and raised in Hilton Head/Bluffton SC. I have some amazing parents, Patsy Sams (born and raised in Charleston, SC) and Greg Sams (born in Kentucky). I was raised with some amazing food at EVERY meal! I am the youngest of three with a large age difference, so being the youngest and pretty much only child at home, I was able to be alongside my momma as she cooked every day! Little did I know at the time while growing up I would ever use this knowledge of southern cooking as a career. I attended Hilton Head Christian Academy and graduated in 1999, then was off to college on a volleyball scholarship where there I learned quickly that maybe college was not the route for me. At the ripe age of 21, I was blessed with two amazing boys (twins) Connor & Patrick (now 18). During this time, I really had no clue what I wanted to do in my life, I just tried to follow in my father’s footsteps and go into the accounting field. This was my career but I was never fully happy. At 24, the Lord above blessed me again and my daughter Mary Grace was born (now 16). I continued trying to find what my gift was but just kept on with the accounting which lasted until I was 36. Throughout those years true happiness was never there, I turned to drugs and alcohol for my happy which later turned into a MAJOR problem. Not that I am proud of what I was then, but I genuinely believe it was all in the plan to get me where I am today. I have made decisions and actions that my family and I are not proud of, I have been homeless, I have slept in my car, I have spent every dime I had on my happy (drugs & alcohol), I have spent a few night in jail, I have been so far down a black hole I did not want to live. Somewhere in that dark hole there was small light, and 4 days before my birthday, August 24, 2018, I made the decision that I needed help. I checked myself into an amazing place where I learned how to live and become sober. It was there that my journey began. I got sober and moved to Charleston, worked at Chili’s waiting tables, and God redeemed me.

During the pandemic in April of 2020, I found myself going back into a dark hole and I knew that was trouble, I needed to do something. Well, a couple months with by with me brainstorming and praying to God above for some sort of sign as to what I should do. With some help from my amazing man Brad (aka President), he supported me from day one. I just needed one person to believe in me, and he was that one person! In June, I came up with an idea, to go sell food on Folly Beach to the visitors that were here but could not go comfortably to a restaurant due to quarantine from COVID. So, I had to come up with a name for the business and it had to have southern in there so I tossed many ideas around and Brad said what about Southern Bear (Bear is our chocolate lab who we got right before the pandemic, so him and I spent lots of time together lol). So, Bear it was Southern Bear, which eventually you will find it turned into Southern Bear Catering. So, I started by posting some family meal packages to deliver (low country food) to the beach. When I tell you it took off, it skyrocketed! I got my business license end the of June 2020 and delivered my first meal package July 3, 2020, and it has not stopped since. I booked my first wedding August 8, 2020 (interestingly my twins’ birthday, I think God was giving me a sign), and continued blessing me with bookings for 2020. In six months, we did 13 weddings, along with TONS of deliveries. For 2021, we catered 123 on-site wedding & events! For 2022 we currently have 64 weddings booked! WOW!!! I did all of my own advertising and did my entire website and Facebook on my own with no money involved!

I started this business with an idea and no money but decided I was ALL IN and went for it! I am extremely passionate about my business and am so incredibly grateful that I have gotten this far! It started with only two people working with me and a couple friends that would help on events… then it turned into a total of 22 employees over the course of 2021.

Today we have an entire business operation going on and Southern Bear Catering is the talk of the town when it comes to Food Catering! I never would have imagined my life where it is today 3 1/2 years ago, I found my nitch I found what I love to do!!!

This is a direct result of hard work and perseverance and doing what I LOVE! With all FIVE STAR reviews, I am proud to say, that I have found my happiness. I have amazing support from all of my family and close friends and most of all a God that is so mighty!

So, when you are thinking about who to go with for your next event, do not think too hard and go with your girl Trish! I take pride in my food, my displays, and our southern hospitality! My crew and I are one of kind. We are family, and we are sure to make you feel a part of this family as well when you work with us! LOOK NO FURTHER AND LET US PUT THE SOUTH IN YO’ MOUTH!!!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It really has been smooth sailing for the most part, lots of business lessons learned but all and all it has gone AMAZING

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

  • I am a caterer I am 3 1/2 years sober
  • I am known to have an amazing personality and lots of southern hospitality
  • I strive myself on our presentations and our work ethic
  • I work hard for what I have in which I never did before
  • Known for amazing food and service
  • What sets me apart? I am personable, when people do business with me we become almost friend like because we talk all the time and I just have that personality people get along with! I love people and love to watch them when their dreams become reality.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

I would watch other local businesswoman and men that were small business owners and just take advice from them. I can tell you that I found every group or page on Facebook and I would post almost daily on events and food. That is how I branded SBC.

contact us