Hi! I’m Madeline. I’m the one behind NWK, & I used to own a vegan café from 2012-2015. Here’s a photo of me yesterday, outside my mom’s garage with the old New World Café sign, + a photo of the sign coming down after we closed. Almost exactly 7 years ago. 🥺

I relaunched this business on my own out of a shared kitchen in 2020, & have spent a lot of time since then feeling like I need to hurry up, “figure it out,” and move onto something bigger.

I want NWK to have its own space again - yet I’ve also been wading through heartbreak for things I went through running New World Café in my early 20’s - and finally feel I’ve come out on the other side.

I believe running a restaurant is one of the hardest things you could choose to do. I also now believe it’s possible to run a food business and take care of yourself. Every day. But you have to choose it. You don’t have to burn yourself out, surrender to chronic stress, suffer through physical & mental pain, or neglect your own needs.

I absolutely have visions of what NWK will become - and I’m so excited! But it’s beautiful to enjoy the present, to be eager to wake up, to miss what I do when I take time off, and to feel my identity isn’t just “business owner” or “chef” - I have other things that really make me who I am too - because life hasn’t always been that way.

I’ve learned when things end it doesn’t make them any less significant. You are never stuck. You always have the power to start over in a new way that’s more supportive.

For me, showing up for myself looks like daily meditation, breathwork, & lots of dancing. I’m so thankful to be exactly where I am. And I have to thank you - for showing up to support me & this busy little business exactly as it is right now, too. ❤️

Here's an old photo of me in a New World Café shirt designed by Eight Seven Central.