Meet Eric Michael Thomas, Owner of Chef Doula LLC
August is Black Business Month, a time to acknowledge and highlight Black entrepreneurs who are often underrepresented and may face barriers when starting and maintaining their businesses.
NYCHA, which is home to many small business owners, provides a range of opportunities for residents to pursue entrepreneurship through its Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES). Among these initiatives is Food Business Pathways (FBP), which has provided NYCHA residents and Section 8 voucher holders with the skills, resources, and support needed to start and grow successful food-based businesses since 2015. Eric Michael Thomas, owner of Chef Doula LLC, is a recent graduate of the program, completing it in May 2025.
The NYCHA Journal spoke to Mr. Michael about his proudest moment as a business owner, his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, and his goals for his business.
Tell us about your business. Chef Doula LLC specializes in private chef services and nutritional education for pregnant women and their families, offering in-home meal prep, full-spectrum doula care, and educational workshops. Chef Doula LLC empowers families while also inspiring them to build their own confidence, resilience, and opportunity.
I launched Chef Doula LLC in March 2025, after working on the concept for about a year. In 2024, I earned my NYC Food Handler’s certificate and developed my business plan with guidance from Good Shepherd Services’ Entrepreneurship Business Development Institute. I completed all the legal requirements for my business through NYCHA’s 10-week Food Business Pathways program. Since then, I have earned credentials from several key programs that have helped kickstart this business, including Allie’s Place Center for Culinary Education and Employment, Ancient Song Doula Services, and the SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center. I also earned my Associate of Applied Science degree in business management from the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Education is an important aspect of Chef Doula LLC and its mission to blend maternal health and culinary expertise into services that strengthen families and communities.
Why did you want to start your business? When I think about the reason I started Chef Doula LLC, I think about my personal upbringing. After my mother, a single parent, had experienced two miscarriages, I began cooking for myself as a way of helping her recover. The kitchen became a place for healing, and it brought peace, comfort, and security. The kitchen was where I could both support my mother and find my own sense of purpose.
Chef Doula LLC was created to celebrate the miracle of life and maternal health. It combines culinary arts with holistic care to nurture and support families in impactful ways. Every meal I prepare, workshop I lead, and lesson I share is designed to honor and inspire others. The motivation also comes from my interest in history. In a way, it’s my version of building a lasting structure like the Great Pyramids, which celebrated life through legacy, or like the biblical Nehemiah, who rallied a community to rebuild. I aim to strengthen family dynamics and to make an enduring impact in the fight against injustice.
What’s been your proudest moment as a business owner so far? A moment I’ve felt most proud of myself is that through my business I’ve become a teaching artist through partnerships with Culture for One and Good Shepherd Services.
Within the first few months of launching Chef Doula LLC, I have been able to guide youth, share my love of cooking, and help others develop life skills. This has been incredibly humbling. What makes this especially significant is that I was once a participant in both organizations. Being able to teach and support young people is a powerful reminder of why I decided to start Chef Doula LLC in the first place. Even at this early stage, being able to contribute in this way makes me feel grateful for the opportunity to help current participants grow into their own leadership roles and careers, while continuing to give back to my community.
I was also a finalist in this year’s NYC Boss Up competition, which I am extremely proud of and thankful for. I never expected to get so much encouragement.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you had before you started? I wish someone had given me the advice to focus on understanding what your clients and community truly need before trying to do everything at once. When you’re building something from the ground up, it’s easy to feel like you have to tackle every idea or opportunity immediately. Learning not to stretch yourself too thin has been a crucial learning point for me. Having the guidance from someone who had already navigated this path would have made a big difference. Even in these first months, I’ve learned the value of listening, adjusting as I go, and focusing on what truly matters. Although I have taken multiple business-related courses, hands-on experience has been the most valuable guidance I have gained so far.
What advice would you give NYCHA public housing or Section 8 residents who want to own their own businesses? If you’re thinking about starting your own business, the most important thing I can say is that your circumstances do not define your potential. Starting a business is about taking small but consistent steps, learning as you go, and using the resources available to you. Even if you’re starting with just one idea or a small service, taking action will teach you more than planning alone ever could. Your experience, perspective, and creativity are your greatest assets, so use them to build something that is both personal and meaningful. It’s also important to connect with your community and local organizations. They can provide guidance, training, and advice. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship, and invest time in learning the skills you need to run a successful business.
What’s a goal you’re working towards with your business? The future I envision for Chef Doula LLC is to scale beyond private dining and workshops into a hub for culinary wellness and maternal health. My goal is to build a business that grows in reach and purpose, shaping not just what families eat but how they feel, thrive, and carry that wellness forward. To build toward that vision, I’m investing in my education as the backbone of growth, laying the foundational layers that will support every aspect of Chef Doula LLC.
Before I decided to pursue these degrees, I had previously gained four years of restaurant experience and more than a year of teaching preschool, all while facing homelessness. These experiences shaped my approach to food, wellness, and working with families. I’m currently an apprentice with Ancient Song Doula Services, and I’m also enrolled in Kingsborough Community College’s Associate of Applied Science degree in culinary arts, refining my craft and deepening my technical knowledge. From there, I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration in culinary arts management, combining creativity with strong business leadership. I’ll then expand into health and wellness with an Master of Science in nutrition, enabling me to design programs based on science and nutrition. Ultimately, I aim to complete a Ph.D. in food studies, equipping me to lead and innovate at the intersection of food, culture, and maternal health. Each step of my education is preparing me to create more spaces where families can access nourishing meals, workshops, and wellness resources, while aspiring chefs and caregivers can receive mentorship and training.
I also want to honor the Black men and women, specifically the birth workers and business owners who came before me, many of whom were never afforded the same access to education, housing, or economic opportunity that I have today. Their courage and sacrifices laid the groundwork for future generations, and I aspire to continue their legacy through the work that Chef Doula LLC achieves.
NYCHA public housing and Section 8 residents interested in starting or expanding a business should contact the REES hotline at 718-289-8100, visit the REES website for a calendar of upcoming information sessions, and sign up for the REES newsletter to receive up-to-date information on resident business development initiatives.