Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2022

COAST NOTE
TWO GULF COAST WOMEN BUILD A SWEET-FILLED COLLABORATION
Katrina Currie's dream of being a candy maker started from humble beginnings: her own kitchen. Operating under the Mississippi State Department of Health's cottage food operation laws, Currie
sold her candies directly to her customers, but soon realized that he business was growing – she needed more room, and fast.
Currie connected with another local business owner, Delores “Delo” Nettles, owner of Delo’s Heavenly House of Coffee in Gautier to rent out her commercial kitchen space, which would allow her to operate in the public sector and sell her candies business to business. Currie and Nettles, who has been in business herself for more than 15 years, came to an agreement, and the rest is history.
I AM Candy and Things was created in honor of Currie's trailblazing grandparents, Aristed and Marie Chestang. “Both instilled in me a disciplined work ethic, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the drive to set and obtain my goals,” said Currie, who credits the many lessons she learned growing up to her grandparents, who were denied the ability to pursue a formal education. “This did not stop them from building a legacy through faith, business, and family,” Currie says proudly. “Without complaint, they led
by example, creating an impenetrable value system of servant leadership for both me and my family.”
Pairing her love for candy making with the fundamental teachings of her grandparents, Currie has created innovative recipes that have led to a thriving, upscale gourmet pralines business. Her pralines can be purchased locally from Delo's Heavenly House of Coffee, or online from the I AM Candy and Things website or Amazon.
I AM Candy and Things
228.313.2889 iamcandyandthings@gmail.com www.iamcandyandthings.com
Delo's Heavenly House of Coffee
3880 Gautier Vancleave Rd. Gautier 228.497.5550 | www.delosheavenlyhouseofcoffee.com
16 | February 2022
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by Hal Todd and courtesy of OurMSHome and I AM Candy and Things