Today we’d like to introduce you to Dakota Stanley.
Hi Dakota, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey has really been shaped by family, resilience, loss, and ultimately finding purpose through all of it.
I became a mother at a young age. Two of my five daughters were born before I graduated high school, so responsibility came early for me. Motherhood pushed me to grow up quickly, but it also gave me a determination that I didn’t fully recognize at the time. I learned very early that no matter what life looked like, I had people depending on me, so giving up was never really an option.
Years later, I discovered another part of myself through food. I attended culinary school at The Art Institute of Philadelphia, a few years later I started D. Stanley Catering with the full support of my mom. What started as a passion slowly became something I could see myself building a future around.
At the same time, loss was shaping my journey in ways I never expected. Over the years, my family experienced tremendous loss, including losing both my brother and nephew to gun violence. I also lost my grandmothers and my mother, three women who were close to me and played such important roles in my life. Those experiences changed my perspective and made me more intentional about how I wanted to live, what I wanted to build, and the legacy I wanted to create.
That intention is woven throughout 721 By DSC. The space is more than a restaurant and event venue; in many ways, it’s a tribute to the people who helped shape me. From the dedication wall honoring loved ones I’ve lost to a brunch menu inspired by my mom, grandmothers, brother and other family members who are no longer here, their presence is intentionally woven into the experience. 721 gave me a way to honor where I come from while creating something that can continue long after me.
Today, what began with culinary school and a small catering business has grown into D. Stanley Catering and 721 By DSC, with opportunities to serve families, businesses, schools, community organizations, nonprofits, and Philadelphia City Council.
But I still don’t look at my story as if I’ve “made it.” I’m still building. I’m still learning, creating, taking chances, and figuring out what’s next. If anything, my journey has taught me that purpose doesn’t always come from the easiest parts of your life. Sometimes it grows out of the moments that change you the most.
When I look back at the young mother who was trying to find her way and compare her to the woman and business owner I am today, I’m proud of what I’ve built, but I’m even more proud that through everything, I kept going. And as I continue to move forward, I get to carry the people who helped shape me along with me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I don’t think entrepreneurship is ever really a smooth road, and mine has come with plenty of ups and downs.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to build a business while still managing real life. I’m a wife, a mother, and for much of this journey I’ve also had a career outside of my business. There have been plenty of times when I’ve had to go from handling one responsibility straight into another, while still making sure my customers received the level of service I expect from myself.
I’ve also had to learn that being a great cook and being a great business owner are two completely different things. Culinary school taught me the food, but entrepreneurship taught me everything else — pricing, contracts, staffing, managing money, dealing with clients, making difficult decisions, and learning when to say no. Some of those lessons were expensive lessons, but they were necessary ones.
There were also times when I questioned myself. I’ve experienced opportunities that didn’t work out, people who didn’t see my vision, financial challenges, exhaustion, and moments when I wondered if I was taking on too much. And while I was trying to grow professionally, I was also navigating the losses of two of the most important women in my life.
I think one of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is that growth doesn’t always feel like growth while you’re going through it. Sometimes it looks like a mistake. Sometimes it looks like starting over. Sometimes it looks like being exhausted and still having to show up the next morning.
But every stage taught me something. I’ve become more confident in my decisions, more intentional about how I operate my businesses, and much more comfortable understanding that everything isn’t going to work out exactly the way I planned.
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all — but I also wouldn’t change the road. The difficult parts are what gave me the experience, resilience, and confidence to handle the opportunities I’m receiving today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about 721 By DSC/D.Stanley Catering?
D. Stanley Catering and 721 By DSC are centered around food, hospitality, and creating experiences where people genuinely feel taken care of.
D. Stanley Catering serves everything from intimate gatherings to corporate and large-scale events. We’ve become known for flavorful comfort food, great presentation, professionalism, and our ability to customize what we offer based on each client’s needs.
721 By DSC expanded that vision by giving me a space of my own where food, celebrations, events, and community can come together.
What sets us apart is the level of care we put into every experience. Whether I’m feeding 15 people or 400, I want every client to feel like their event matters.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the reputation we’ve built. So much of our growth has come through referrals, repeat customers, and relationships. To go from starting D. Stanley Catering in 2017 to being trusted by schools, nonprofits, businesses, community organizations, and Philadelphia City Council is something I’m extremely proud of.
Food may be the foundation, but the bigger vision has always been about hospitality, creativity, community, and creating experiences people remember. And we’re still growing.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I would say resilience. I’ve learned that success isn’t about everything going according to plan; it’s about what you do when it doesn’t.
I’ve experienced personal loss, business challenges, disappointments, and plenty of moments where I had to figure things out as I went. But I’ve always found a way to adjust, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward.
I’m also not afraid to reinvent myself. If something isn’t working, I’ll change it. If I don’t know something, I’ll learn it. And if an opportunity scares me a little, I’m usually willing to take the chance anyway.
I think my ability to keep going, while still being willing to grow and evolve, has been one of the biggest reasons I’ve gotten to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.721bydsc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/721bydsc?stkn=Z2preTY5cHYycGR2&utm_source=qr
