It all started with a shared vision between two roommates at Wilkes University.
The roommates teamed up to tackle a road of entrepreneurship. To one of the roommates, Billy Berry, a desk job is on the list of things-to-avoid.
A life of the standard grind and a path of complete knowing is not what interests Berry.
The student athlete graduated with his finance degree, and unlike most, he knows exactly what he plans to do with it.
Waffles. Waffles. Waffles, and more waffles.
Berry and his roommate, Toon De Schepper, started perfecting their waffle recipe and eventually opened up a food truck.
The four wheeled truck brought so much success, they opened up another food truck, but this four wheeled truck is massive, which it must be, to appeal to the big city it’s homed: Chicago.
John Barrett and Jimmy O’Kane, fellow student athletes of Wilkes University, saw this vision and backed De Schepper and Berry to the best of their abilities, utilizing their networks in Chicago to speed up the process for De Schepper and Berry. What’s next?
The next move was obvious to the business owners: a storefront. The waffles are cozy so it makes sense for the store to be nestled in the middle of Livingstone Lane, directly across from the movie theater on Northampton Street.
The duo proves to be inspired, drawing in support from locals and King’s College with open arms, encouraging them to join campus events frequently. The business owners were able to be on popular food delivery apps such as Doordash and UberEats, with no added delivery fees.
With the success of their business, Berry, and alumni customers wish Wilkes would be as supportive as Kings College has been and the surrounding neighborhood, since Wilkes is a key part of their success story.
Although the business owners feel the support could be better, they are proud of their Wilkes alumni status, considering De Schepper and Berry wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Currently, De Schepper is back home in Belgium. When asked if that makes things harder, Berry, the optimist, says there’s not a problem at all. Although he misses his business partner, they are able to manage their business countries apart all the same.
Ericka, Berry’s girlfriend, shows her loyal support, and adoration of their recipe.
Berry likes his waffle topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and powdered sugar. His girlfriend prefers her waffle to be completely plain.
“It’s just so good on its own,” she elaborates.
Berry says she’s just a picky eater, but she reiterates how good it tastes on its own, how it is not an ordinary waffle.
A plain waffle goes for $5 a piece, with their sweet toppings only $1 each. For Valentine’s Day, they have heart shaped waffles.