NoCo Community Kitchen Manager loves helping breathe life into the NoCo district
Prescott Woman Magazine chatted with Melinda Hambrick, with NoCo Community Kitchen, to find out what makes her enjoy being a part of the Prescott Downtown Partnership and how it benefits her business.
PWM: How long have you been a member of the Prescott Downtown Partnership (PDP), and what do you enjoy most about being part of this organization? In your experience, how does the PDP differ from other local groups?
Melinda: Prescott Farmers Market’s NoCo Community Kitchen joined in April of this year. I appreciate being part of an organization that cares for the well-being of Prescott’s businesses and residents.
PWM: Can you share what led you to Prescott and your current professional position?
Melinda: I was ready to start a new chapter, and my entrepreneurial experience and belief in the power of local food and small business made launching Prescott Farmers Market’s shared incubator kitchen an instant attraction.
PWM: Do you work downtown, and how has the local culture or environment influenced your journey?
Melinda: I work downtown on North Cortez, across from Peregrine Book Company. It’s fantastic to see this area come alive; The Art Hive is a valuable asset, bringing palpable energy from the creative community.
PWM: Are you involved in the community? If so, what initiatives or projects are you currently involved in that aim to uplift our community?
Melinda: I gravitate towards community-focused careers, and it’s an honor to help aspiring food entrepreneurs become licensed and succeed in the Quad Cities.
PWM: How do you balance your role in the PDP with other professional aspirations and personal commitments?
Melinda: I’m fortunate that my passions overlap, making it less of a balancing act and more about being dedicated to what inspires me to get out of bed each morning.
PWM: Is there a common misconception about women in business that you would like to address?
Melinda: Most NoCo Community Kitchen entrepreneurs are women. Many may not realize that women drive small businesses, owning 42% and generating nearly $2 trillion annually.
(https://www.score.org/resource/blog-post/state-women-entrepreneurs)
PWM: What advice would you give to other women seeking involvement in community organizations?
Melinda: I would suggest they identify what inspires and energizes them and then search for an organization that reflects those values. If they can’t find it, start it.
PWM: Is there anything else you’d like to share that people might not know about you or your work?
Melinda: I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the stories of Prescott and Central Arizona’s local food community as the publisher of the new Edible Central Arizona.
Learn more about the Prescott Farmers Market NoCo Community Kitchen at https://prescottfarmersmarket.org/noco-community-kitchen/.