Jennifer Biddy-Duncan
Jennifer Biddy-Duncan is a dynamic sales and procurement professional with more than 40 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry, having begun her career at just 16 years old. She currently represents Old North State Food & Provision Company, where she is also co-owner alongside her longtime business partner, John Crutchfield of Muston & Crutchfield Pimento Cheese. Their partnership spans four decades of friendship and professional collaboration, including Jennifer’s earlier role as his sales representative at E.G. Forest. Together, they have spent the past 10 years developing their company, officially launching operations over the last year and a half and accelerating growth with a focused, full-scale effort in recent months.
Jennifer’s expertise lies in food procurement, sales strategy, and leadership, supported by a career that includes serving as Managing Director of Southern Supper & Provision Co. and working with Horizon’s International Accents. Known for her hands-on, relationship-driven approach, she is often found walking into businesses, introducing herself, and building partnerships with confidence and authenticity. She also founded “From My Couch,” a venture born from a moment of inspiration that reflects her entrepreneurial mindset and creativity. Jennifer’s professional style is marked by a unique balance—direct and decisive in business, yet warm and engaging in presence—allowing her to connect easily with clients and colleagues alike.
A proud graduate of Elon University with a degree in Political Science and Government, Jennifer complements her business acumen with strong communication and leadership skills. Her journey has been defined not only by professional accomplishments, including receiving the Tenacity Award at E.G. Forest, but also by resilience and personal growth. Overcoming significant financial and personal challenges, she credits her success to unwavering perseverance, as well as a commitment to grace, gratitude, and kindness. A self-described foodie who thrives on connection and community, Jennifer embodies her personal motto, “NC Strong,” bringing passion, determination, and authenticity to everything she does.
• ServSafe Certification
• Emotional Intelligence Training
• Elon University - BA Pol Sci
• Tenacity award
• Breast Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• ADHD
• Autism
• Disability Rights
• Anti-Discrimination in Employment
• Animal Adoption and Welfare
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to every person that helped me along the way. Fred Harrison Clayton being one of them - there's a story on LinkedIn about how he should have fired me, but he didn't, because I told him to everybody else. Years later, he gave me my own restaurant, which is Harrison's. My work dad Wayne McBrair at E.G. Forest is one of my dearest friends in the world. My father Richard Biddy is my number one fan and my biggest supporter. Jeff Walsh and Mona Scheer at Horizon's International Accents are my other set of parents. My business partner John Crutchfield and I have been friends for 40 years. Every single person who believed in me and gave me opportunities made this possible.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to lead with kindness, grace, and gratitude, and never give up. Fail, fail, and try, try again, because if you don't ask, you don't get. I also learned from Marlo Thomas's book 'The Right Words at the Right Time' that it takes a lot less energy to be kind than it does to be cruel. I've experienced a lot of cruelty in my life, but I choose kindness. Can't never did - like Thomas the Train, I think I can, I think I can, I know I can. I will, I want to, I want to be kind. Just be positive, man.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up. Look at Steve Jobs, Freddie Mercury, Bill Gates, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy - even Trump - they never gave up. You can't always get what you want, but sometimes, like the Stones said, you can get what you need. We all just want to be loved, dude. Every human being on the face of the planet. Bad people do good things, and good people do bad things, and I've done both. Just be who you are. Let you be you, I'll do me. We're never too old to learn, we're never too old to grow.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities in my field right now are growth. We're never too old to learn, we're never too old to grow. As for challenges, people don't think that I'm serious, they don't take me seriously, because I talk real fast, and I ain't afraid of anybody. I used to be kind and keep my mouth shut. Well, that day has ended. Men don't tend to listen to me because I'm very masculine in my attitude but very feminine in my presence.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are respect, kindness, joy, gratitude, and grace. I hate people who think they're more important than me and don't have time - everybody thinks I'm not busy, but you know darn well I'm busy. It takes a lot less energy to be kind than it does to be cruel, and I've experienced a lot of cruelty in my life. I don't care what anybody thinks - well, that's not really true, I just say that. It just means no fear. Just be who you are.
Locations
Old North State Food & Provision Company
Kernersville, NC 27262