Candice Wigfield, President + Owner Hamby Catering & Events

CW: What motivated you to invest in the Hamby brand and assume ownership?
“Never in a million years would I have predicted that I would own a catering company, especially considering that I don’t have a culinary education. My background is in marketing, public relations and communications, and I was originally hired at Hamby by our founder’s great nephew, Wes, to assist with rebranding and marketing Charleston’s oldest, locally owned and operated full-service catering company. Over the years, I grew into management and sales roles, and when our owner, Wes, decided to explore selling the company, he approached me first. Mom and Dad were living in the United Kingdom with Michelin, and Dad was trying to decide what he would do in his approaching retirement. I pitched Dad with the idea of buying Hamby, and after about a year of due diligence, we made our ownership and business partnership official in Fall 2017.”

CW: What or who inspires you?
“Travel inspires me. I have planned entire trips around dining experiences, from highly acclaimed restaurants to street vendors. As a student of hospitality, I have found that immersing myself in different cultures and their cuisines has afforded me a deep appreciation for stories that surround traditions rooted in food and drink.”

CW: Give us some success tips for someone just starting out in your line of work. 
“Make your main goal to learn and develop relationships within the industry and in related industries. You never know when amazing opportunities will pop up along the way. And don’t be afraid to tactfully speak your mind. Courage in communication and conviction of character will set you apart from the crowd. Be an eternal student. Surround yourself with people who push you to grow, and never be satisfied with the status quo.”