Lashaun Crawford

I attribute my success to taking a challenging situation and turning it into my life's purpose. When I became a young mother at 19 and had to give up my full-ride scholarship as a biochemistry major, I could have seen it as the end of my dreams, but instead it led me to discover my true passion for food and serving others. Starting as a waitress, I realized I had a genuine love for this work, and I made the decision that if I was going to stay in the restaurant field, I was going to make it my own rather than work for someone else. Opening Girl with the Grill at the height of COVID, when everyone else was running away from the industry, showed my commitment to going all in on my vision. I've built this business as a family - my son is now the GM at 26, and I've groomed him since he was young to eventually have his own location. But beyond the business success, what really drives me is combining my restaurant with deep community work through my nonprofit, Staying the Course, Incorporated. We've fed over 30,000 people, and we don't just feed them - we serve them with dignity and love, asking what they'd like on their meal just like we would for any paying customer. Being named New Jersey's Woman-Owned Business of the Year for 2024 by the SBA was an incredible honor, especially because I don't do this work for awards - I do it because it's my passion and it's just in me. Now, opening our second location on July 18th, the anniversary of my 20-year-old daughter's passing, represents how I'm choosing to transform pain into celebration of life and new beginnings.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it’s possible to build a career you love, make a meaningful difference, and still have a fulfilling family life. I was encouraged to believe that I didn’t have to choose one over the other, but could instead create a balance that works for me. That perspective has stayed with me throughout my journey, especially as I’ve seen it reflected in my own family—my son is now 26 and serves as a general manager of a restaurant, which reminds me that professional success and personal fulfillment can grow side by side.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to remember that you have the ability to make a real difference while also building a life that reflects your personal priorities. You are not limited to one path—you can grow, change direction when needed, and still create meaningful impact along the way. It is possible to pursue your goals and also be present for your family, including being the kind of mother you want to be to your children. With intention, flexibility, and self-belief, you can design a life where both your career and personal life thrive together.

Right now, the biggest opportunity and challenge I'm facing is the expansion to our second location in Camden, which is opening on July 18th. This date is incredibly significant because it's the one-year anniversary of my 20-year-old daughter's passing. I made the decision that we're going to change the narrative and take that day back, making it a day of celebrating life rather than just mourning. She would have been right by our side, and she is in spirit. Every year when July 18th comes around, it's going to be about celebrating life and new beginnings. Everyone on my team has been absolutely amazing, understanding why we're opening on this specific day, and they've been pushing and pushing to meet all the deadlines for different things to make it happen. With the expansion, every dollar matters right now, but this is about more than just business growth - it's about honoring my daughter's memory and creating something meaningful from loss.

The most important value to me is serving others with dignity and genuine care. Through my nonprofit work, we don't just feed people - we actually serve them, asking what they'd like on their hot dog or burger, just like we would for anyone else. Just because someone can't afford a meal doesn't mean they don't deserve that same level of love and respect. One of my core sayings is that family isn't just born, sometimes it's beautifully created together, because I can't do this work alone. We come together as a family, and we represent that throughout the restaurant. Inclusivity is huge for me - we have a sensory table for families with autism, we host sensory nights where families can dine without judgment and not worry if their child has an outburst, and I even created special ordering books for nonverbal children so they can feel empowered to make their own decisions in the way they can communicate. Our Pay What You Can events let families put money in an envelope - I have no idea how much they're giving - and they eat from a buffet with no TVs on because we want them to focus on each other. Whether it's working with formerly incarcerated individuals, mentoring youth in their first jobs, or feeding over 100 homeless people in Kensington, Philadelphia, it's all about going where the need is and showing up with patience, genuine care, and the desire to help people feel valued and supported.