For all you Anthony Bourdain fans out there, you need to know about Deagon Williams. Deagon is a Paris-trained executive chef that keeps other chefs in in business. She is the founder of Culinary Business Strategy, a consultancy that advises chefs on making their restaurants a success through establishing a solid financial model. Growing up, Deagon was one of 2 Caucasian kids at her school, but she didn't know she was a minority. This set the stage for Deagon being able to meld in anywhere, with anyone, at any time. A critical skill set being one of the first female executive chefs ever.

I didn't get enough time in this session to get to everything I wanted to ask Deagon, so expect follow up conversations with this woman who is unique in the world. She lived through a wild upbringing, but brings stability to a profession she has participated in at the absolute highest level.