Tenant Spotlight: Chandra Gouldrup, The Farmer’s Daughter
March 20, 2025 – In honor of Women’s History Month, we decided to catch up with one of Meadow Walk’s top women entrepreneurs, Chandra Gouldrup, Head Chef and Owner of The Farmer’s Daughter. Chandra is a true trailblazer of the restaurant industry and knows what it takes to turn a dream into reality. Check out our Q&A with Chandra below:
What inspired you to start your own business?
I come from a family of hardworking, self-employed business owners, so that entrepreneurial spirit has always been in my roots. Once I found my passion in hospitality, I knew that if I wanted to truly succeed, I had to build something of my own. Restaurant life is demanding—the hours are long, and the work never really stops. If you’re going to put in that kind of effort, you have to love it, and for me, the best way to do that was to be my own boss and create something I truly believe in.
As a woman in business, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
There’s only one of me, and that’s a daily struggle as a hands-on owner-operator. I can’t be everywhere at once, and as much as I want to grow, the hardest part is figuring out how to teach my vision to others. It’s a tough reality, but I’ve learned that surrounding myself with the right people, trusting my instincts, and staying true to my core values helps me navigate those challenges. It’s a constant work in progress.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to become entrepreneurs?
You have to have passion for what you do—that’s something you can’t teach or learn; it’s what drives you to succeed. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. This is a lesson I’ve had to learn over and over again, but the truth is, you grow the most from your mistakes. So don’t give up—if you fail at something, it will only make you stronger.