Cheryl Gibbs - Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Meals

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Cheryl Gibbs

The name “vibrant” represents Cheryl Gibbs very well. The Charleston, SC, resident owns Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Meals LLC. Cheryl is a 1984 James Holland High School graduate who later attended Columbia College. “I didn’t finish at Columbia, mainly due to me being homesick,” she says. Her educational journey continues; she is currently a student at Trident Tech, located in Charleston, SC, and studies culinary.

Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Meals LLC is a vision Cheryl says God gave her. She also credits Dr. Seebi with inspiring her to start her business. “I followed Dr. Seebi for four years before starting my business. I went on a 21-day fast with a Facebook group, and upon completing the fast, actually, on the 19th day, the vision was revealed. God told me to go out and help heal the land and educate others about a healthy way of living,” she says.

The menu offered by Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Meals LLC consists primarily of mushrooms. Cheryl doesn’t use any soy-based products or tofu. She incorporates mushrooms and focuses on plant-based dishes. “My truck will not move if I don’t have oyster mushrooms on them,” she says.

Cheryl also describes herself as a loving, outgoing, and giving person. “Everything that I do, I do it from the kindness of my heart. I don’t seek recognition. I genuinely love people, and most of all, I love God,” she says.

God told me to go out and help heal the land and educate others about a healthy way of living.

For the most part, Cheryl’s love for people has always connected with her career aspirations. She began in corporate America and shares how important customer service was for her while there. Now, as a business owner, those same values come into play on a regular basis. “While running my business, I serve others, and treating people with kindness and compassion is very important. How I interact with others is important. I still get to meet and connect with people. I love that.”

Cheryl credits her mother with having the biggest impact on her life. She says, “My mom taught me and my siblings at an early age to be responsible and independent. My mom worked, and with me being the oldest, I did a lot. I watched my mom succeed even as a single parent. Seeing her set goals and accomplish them, even during challenges, encourages me to push and not settle. Those values and determination were embedded into my siblings also.”

As a small business owner, Cheryl says she faces some challenges. One is finding good help has remained a constant hurdle for her. Also, being an entrepreneur often calls for her to do the work when others do not show up. “My day starts early. I begin around 4:00 am by answering emails, setting proposals, and scheduling meetings. I accept the responsibilities of being self-employed, and I love it,” she says.

For those who may follow a path like that of Cheryl, her advice is to do your research and prepare for whatever may come. In the future, she plans to have multiple food trucks in her arsenal. “God gave me this vision to start my business. I didn’t have any training, but I never gave up. When I reflect on where I came from, I often smile. I am grateful for this journey,” she says.

To learn more about Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Meals LLC, please visit their website.