Q: What inspired you to honor your father’s legacy by opening Poppy’s Taste of Maryland, and how does his influence show up in your food today?
RT: My father was the hardest-working person I know.  He did everything he could to support our family until the day he died.  There was no question in my mind when I decided to start my next entrepreneurial journey that it would be in his memory. Cooking was a passion we shared, crab was something he loved, and Maryland-style crab cakes were needed down here (NC)! 

Q: Can you share the moment you decided to take the leap of faith and start a carryout-only Maryland-style kitchen here in North Carolina? 
RT: It was an "ah-ha" moment.  I honestly was trying to figure out my next move.  I owned a business in Maryland that I was super passionate about, and I knew I wanted to start another business.  I just knew it had to have meaning, and I wanted it to honor my dad.  

Q: What has been the most rewarding—and the most challenging—part of building a business rooted in personal family traditions?
RT: There are a few gratifying parts.  First and foremost, my children and my mom are very much involved in the business.  It is also so rewarding to hear people's reactions to our story.  I love hearing the connections people have to our family and story.  Whether they have a "Poppy" too or just love reading about how this all started.  The most challenging part is that I can't share this excitement with the man who is being honored.  He would be my biggest cheerleader.   

Q: What advice would you give other women who are considering starting their own passion-driven business, especially after a major life transition? 
RT: Do it!  Do it small.  Do it within your means.  You can always grow and think outside the box.  If you want it, you can absolutely make it happen!  

Q: What is one word of advice you can offer to young women who want to reach your level of success?
RT: Persevere! It is time-consuming, very emotionally trying, and not easy, but don’t give up. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dream and start a business? 
RT: I highly advise young women to pursue their dreams and never give up. Poppy’s is my third entrepreneurial business. I highly recommend going into business for yourself. It is a fantastic feeling to have something to call your own.  

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you?  
RT: After being my own boss, I knew I couldn’t go back to “corporate” America. All I ever wanted to be was a mom. I knew that to be a stay-at-home mom, I had to be an entrepreneur, controlling my schedule and income. That was when I began my first business.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
RT: My family has (and will always) come first. Poppy’s has allowed for a combination, and both my kids and my mom work there! I can leave the store to watch my son play soccer, and I have complete confidence in my daughter to run the restaurant in my absence.  

Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
RT: Don’t let anyone intimidate you from following your dreams. We can dominate in any field just as well as any other. However, be humble. There is a lot to learn. I am so fortunate to have a phenomenal mentor that I share space with. He is far more experienced than I, but he never makes me feel any less like a professional. Surround yourself with good mentors in your field, no matter what their gender.    

Five Things About Rebecca Tapper

1. Among your friends, what are you best known for? 
Honesty and Directness–Don’t ask me a question if you don’t want to hear the truth/my honest opinion. I can’t lie, and I don’t sugarcoat.

2. What’s your favorite international food? 
I love food–period! Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean. 

3. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
I read reviews, but they don’t ultimately make up my mind. I do love reading Poppy’s reviews!!

4. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest? 
My senses are extremely sensitive/heightened. My sense of smell is the strongest. This can be good and bad!

5. What were you like in high school? 
I had lots of friends. I was friends with all kinds of people. I was 
nice to anyone who was nice to me.  I did not care about the academic side of school. I wanted to make money. (young girls skip this part) I often cut class to go work at my part-time job. Making money was more important to me. I knew I wasn’t interested in going to a 4-year college