Rising Stars: Meet Autumn Law of Fort Wayne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Law

Hi Autumn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
A foodie by birth, but my original story wasn’t always this pretty, but it’s what made me who I am today, so it’s with no shame I share it. I struggled with addiction from a young age, for many years, that ultimately led me to a three-year prison sentence in the Florida prison system. It was here that my family would send me food magazines and that’s when I first discovered a food truck. It was love at first sight. I knew that when I got out, that was my goal and that’s what I was going to do! When I was released, I hit the ground running. I worked multiple jobs at a time, and knew exactly how much time and money it would take for me to purchase my first truck. I spent two years saving money to purchase my first Food Truck. I did it all on my own, I’ve never had an investor, or a loan. This one is called Ziffles Zip n Go, It is a spin off of my parents 36 year old barbecue restaurant, Ziffles’s Rib Bar, which is where I first fell in love with the kitchen hustle and bustle. I have been doing this since I was in diapers, lol. My father said I could use the name and the product, but I could not borrow money from anyone or get a loan, I had to save it and do it on my own, and that’s exactly what I did!

In January of 2017, my husband, took me to purchase my 1st one, a taco trailer, in Arkansas, and brought it back to Indiana. He has always believed in me! I ran the wheel off that thing! My husband, who also was just released from serving a 16 year Federal Prison sentence, saw the demand and success in it and said I can build you another one, even better than this. At first, I thought he was crazy because I could barely keep up with the busy demand of this one. But it didn’t take much to convince me that I could handle it, and that’s exactly what he did. I used the money I made from the first year and in 2018 I purchased a box truck, that he built out into my second barbecue Food Truck, Ziffles Zip n Go. This was another success!

In 2019, I was hungry and ready for another one! I wanted to bring something different that the city did not have much of. We were lacking Caribbean. My husband is a Rasta, and has ties to Jamaica, so off we went to Montego Bay Jamaica, to bring the Rasta vibes back to Fort Wayne. There we met with friends, chefs, and the elders of the local villages and they took me to the markets and taught me everything I needed to know about authentic jerk chicken. This brought to life my 3rd food truck, One Love Food Truck, which is a Jamaican Caribbean fusion! I love the Caribbean Islands, and can relate to the common bond of struggle and beauty that they all seem to share. The people are amazing and the food is just as good as the people. I wanted to bring this back to our city, and that’s exactly what I did! It’s still a hit!

Now we are in 2020, what a year! My mind is always thinking of new ideas, and once again, wanted to bring something different, that we didn’t have. I had never been to a restaurant that was mac & cheese based and I thought who doesn’t love mac & cheese! My daughter, Ella, had just turned 16 and I wanted a truck just for her. I needed a concept that she would enjoy running, and lacked the grease, propane, and open flames since was only 16. . The cute. trendy, and globally inspired concept was a perfect fit for her! She ran that truck like a pro, from 16 years old until she left for college, and continued to come home throughout the summers and run her truck. I also was able to learn from each previous truck, what we could do better, and the need for speed was a must! This concept was one stop shop for all around the board. Everyone loves Baby!

In 2023 I was ready for another one, getting smarter and more creative with each truck, this one I chose to make a hybrid truck. A blank canvas that I can run as either Ziffles, One Love, or Baby, – or I can let the customer create a custom menu based on their Ethnic choice! I have done Italian, Mediterranean, Greek, Burmese, Balinese, Columbian, Dominican, Brunch, and a Taco truck just to name a few!

The hybrid truck was such a hit, and after still being fully booked, I decided to add one more hybrid to the fleet. In 2024, my husband built another hybrid truck, and that, like every other truck, has been just as busy!

Currently I have 6 Foodtrucks and a catering company, Catering Fort Wayne, that specials in multicultural gourmet cuisine and private jet aero catering. Should be noted that Catering Fort Wayne was the first company that I started upon my release. I did not have enough money to start the food truck right away, but I knew I could cook and that could get my food in the door.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes, I am s lo grateful, it’s been a very smooth road! I have not had any struggles, only lessons. I work really well under pressure and I am very good at thinking outside of the box. When life presents a roadblock, I know it’s just my guardian angels redirecting my path. I view everything, not as good or bad, but just simply experiences and lessons that ultimately lead to your evolution on a soul level, which to me is what it’s all about.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say what sets me apart from others is my passion and loyalty for helping others. During the pandemic, I opened up in parking lots and gave away thousands of free meals. I also set up at the Interstate 69N rest stop, because the truckers were not allowed to go to fast food restaurants with their semi trailers, and all of the restaurants were closed.

In life, I am most proud of my daughter Ella. Life has not been easy for her, but she has beat all odds. She is gorgeous , kind, loving, smart, determined, empathetic, funny, and just amazing. There is no words to even describe how beautiful she is inside and out.

I am also proud of my service work for others. I regularly take the food truck downtown on Sundays, and feed all of my hundreds of homeless friends, multiple times each season. I have been heavily involved in helping the homeless for 10 years. I love these people and they have become my friends. I love being able to take the food truck down there and give them hot and fresh delicious food, with the same quality that I serve the paying public. My staff and my homeless friends know that anytime they see the truck around the city, they are welcome to come up and get a meal and a drink on the house. Also, no one is ever turned away. My staff has also been trained that of someone’s card is declined, don’t embarrass them, quietly communicate to them that their card is declined, but we are going to give them the food on the house.

What does success mean to you?
I believe success is a mindset and comes from within, mostly your heart. Success is based on your Karma and the reality that you are consciously or subconsciously creating. We are constantly creating our own realities. Success to me is ultimately having an authentic connection with Creator and embracing the God that is within each of us. Success is having a sound moral compass and is defined by how you treat others
and interact with the world around you. Success is being spiritually tapped in enough to always follow your intuition, know you are being Divinely guided, and helping as many people as possible along the way.

Pricing:

• Appetizers are $7
• Entrees are $14
• We book private events based on time of event and location, which determines the sales minimum.
• We do weddings, grad parties, corporate events, lake parties, celebrations of life, birthday party’s, and everything in between!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.babygotsmac.com | www.ziffleszipngo.com | www.onelovefoodtruck.com | www.cateringfortwayne.com
• Instagram: @traveltheworldandeat | @ziffleszipngo | @babygotsmac | @onelovefusionfoodtruck
• Facebook: @ziffleszipngo | @babygotsmac | @onelovefoodteuck
• Other: https://www.cateringfortwayne.com