What began as a single table at a local market has grown into one of Prince George’s most recognizable food businesses, built through resilience, hustle, and a deep commitment to community.

Kate Hawley is the founder of Baller Food, a Prince George based business offering food truck service, buffet catering, grazing tables, hot lunch programs, freezer meal boxes, and retail products. Serving both B2B and B2C clients, Baller Food has become a familiar and trusted presence at community events across Prince George and surrounding rural communities from May through October.

Before launching Baller Food, Kate owned Ames Design Studio, a branding and marketing business. That experience would later play an important role in helping her build a strong, recognizable food brand, one grounded in customer service, reliability, and connection.

Kate’s journey into food entrepreneurship wasn’t planned; it was born out of necessity. When COVID hit, her world was turned upside down. She lost access to childcare, was caring for children with special needs, experienced the loss of her partner, a veteran, and came close to losing her home. At the same time, she was facing limited opportunities for professional growth and financial stability.

Starting Baller Food became both a lifeline and a leap of faith.

“COVID flipped my world upside down,” Kate shares. “I needed a way forward, for my family and for myself.”

As her business began to grow beyond a single market table, Kate connected with WeBC to access business support. While demand for Baller Food was increasing quickly, she was navigating unfamiliar territory and trying to do everything herself.

Kate needed guidance, structure, and trusted advice to support her growth sustainably.

Through participation in our Growth Peer Mentoring Program, Kate gained valuable business advice that enabled her to shift away from trying to handle every aspect of her business alone. This support empowered her to focus on strengthening her company’s foundation. As a result, Kate brought on new team members, including staff, a bookkeeper, and an accountant, to help manage operations and position Baller Food for sustainable, long-term growth.

Kate’s dedication, consistency, and community‑first approach have earned Baller Food widespread recognition, including:

• Best Food Truck in Prince George (2023–present)
• Chamber of Commerce – Best in Food & Beverage (2024)
• Chamber of Commerce – Excellence in Marketing (2024)
• Nominated – Best Customer Service (2025)
• BC Gourmet Arts Festival Cooking Competition Winner (2021)

These accolades reflect not only the quality of Kate’s food but the trust and loyalty she has built within her community.

Client Q&A

Q: What do you feel is your greatest strength?

A: Hustle, customer service, and reliability.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you have learned while being in business for yourself?

A: I can’t do it all.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to another woman entrepreneur based on what you have learned/experienced, what would it be?

A: You can do it! With help!

Q: What important role does your business play in your community?

A: I have one of the longest-standing food trucks locally, and we travel to many outlying small communities. We are a staple at all community events from May to October.

Where to find Baller Food Canada

Website

Facebook

Instagram