From Setbacks to Success: How Jami Lynn’s Home-Cooked Meals Bring Families Together
Business Name: Jami Lynn’s
Industry: Food Service
Connect with Jami Lynn:
Facebook: Jami Lynn’s
Phone: (417) 772-7211
Brett sat down with Jami Lynn as part of the Building Community with Brett video series. Jami Lynn's story is one of resilience, faith, and a passion for serving others. A Monett native, Jami's roots run deep in the community she calls home. After spending time away, she returned to Monett, bringing with her a strong desire to make a difference through the universal language of food. With no formal culinary training, Jami is “mama-trained,” creating meals that bring families together around the dinner table. You can watch the full interview over on our You Tube channel.
Learning Through Failure
Before Jami Lynn’s became a local favorite, Jami ventured into the restaurant world with the Family Steakhouse on Highway 60. By her own account, the venture was a failure, closing after a few short years. But instead of dwelling on the loss, she embraced the lessons it offered.
“I’ve learned more from failures and mistakes than I ever did from success,” Jami shares. “You just have to take what’s thrown at you, build from it, and keep going.”
Her candidness about failure is refreshing and inspiring, especially for entrepreneurs and business owners who often let fear of failure or perfectionism hold them back. Jami’s approach is clear: start where you are, even if you feel unprepared. “I had no idea what I was doing—I just did it.”
Serving Through Food
Jami Lynn’s opened in 2019 with a simple mission: to provide home-cooked meals that help families stay connected in a busy world. Just four months later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but instead of shutting down, her business took off. What started as a goal to feed 100 people a day quickly grew into serving over 400 meals daily, plus catering large events.
Her meals focus on good old-fashioned home cooking—comfort food that’s cheaper than fast food and “a whole lot better.” For Jami, the heart of her business is more than just food; it’s about giving families the chance to make memories at the dinner table without the stress of cooking and cleanup.
“Life is busy,” Jami says. “But dinner is a time to connect and spend time with your family. That’s a priority we should never lose.”
Keys to Success
For Jami, success comes down to four core principles:
God is priority #1.
Hire good people. Surround yourself with a strong team that shares your values.
Treat your workers right. She approaches her team with the mindset that her business is a blessing and extends that gratitude to her employees.
Keep your priorities straight. For Jami, that means putting God first and trusting His guidance throughout the journey.
Faith plays a significant role in Jami’s story, and she often reflects on how God’s hand has shaped her path. “This community is my family, and I’ve always strived to serve people in everything I do,” she shares.
Inspired by Strong Women
Jami credits her family—particularly the strong women she grew up around—for shaping her determination and drive. “No matter what they did, they made their own way. That’s what I want others to see: anyone can make their own way in any career path.”
A Message to Remember
Jami’s story is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the power of community. Her advice to anyone chasing their dreams? “Don’t wait to live your best life.”
As Jami Lynn’s continues to grow, her commitment to serving others and bringing families together remains at the heart of her mission. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special catering event, Jami’s home-cooked meals remind us of the importance of connection and the comfort of a meal made with love.
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