This or That Southern Cooking in Nevada

When Jill moved to Nevada, Missouri,it was for something deeply personal: family. After years of working as a hospice nurse, she relocated to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren, expecting to continue the career she had dedicated much of her life to.

But Nevada didn’t have a hospice center.

Suddenly, Jill found herself rethinking what work and life might look like moving forward. As she explored what might come next, including the idea of starting a food business, she connected with the New Growth Women’s Business Center and found guidance and support to help her take those first steps.

“I didn’t even know if I wanted to keep nursing,” she reflects. “I had done it for so long, and things in that field had changed.”

As she reconsidered her future, an unexpected idea began to take shape.

A Concept Rooted in Simplicity and Care

Jill’s instinct to care for others never left. It simply found a new outlet through food.

“I just like to take care of people,” she says. “I’m not nursing anymore, but I can still feed people. That’s my way of caring for the community.”

With a lifelong love of cooking and influences rooted in Southern and Cajun traditions, Jill began building a business centered on comfort, simplicity, and connection.

Her concept is straightforward. Each day, customers choose between two meal options: “This or That.”

“I have people who come in multiple times a week,” she says. “Some even get both options, one for lunch and one for dinner.”

The model works especially well for people cooking for one or balancing busy schedules. Jill’s meals offer a homemade option that is warm, familiar, and ready when people need it.

Building Something New, One Step at a Time

Entrepreneurship was never part of Jill’s long-term plan. Like many small business owners, she learned as she went, navigating licenses, inspections, and operations largely on her own before finding support through the New Growth Women’s Business Center.

“I didn’t know what order to do things in,” she admits. “I’ve never had a business before. I’ve just had to figure it out as I go.”

Despite the learning curve, she stayed committed. Nearly two years in, she says her biggest milestone is simple.

“I’m still here,” she says. “I’m still trying.”

Staying True to Her Vision

Jill is intentional about what she serves and how she prepares it. She prioritizes quality ingredients and home-style cooking, avoiding shortcuts that might compromise flavor.

“I don’t want my food to taste like everyone else’s,” she says. “That matters to me.”

Her menu reflects her roots, offering comfort food with occasional Cajun-inspired dishes that bring variety and something a little different to the community.

At the center of it all is a desire to provide meals that are affordable, satisfying, and made with care.

Finding Connection Through Community

“It’s been an adjustment,” Jill shares.

Still, she has found connection through customers, her church, and the relationships she continues building day by day. Many of her regulars stop by several times a week and have become a steady source of encouragement.

She has also embraced the challenge of promoting her business, experimenting with social media and local outreach to help spread the word.

“It’s a lot,” she says. “But I’m trying.”

That effort has not gone unnoticed, from her food photos and videos online to the friendly smile greeting customers at the window.

Advice from Experience

When asked what she would tell someone considering starting a business, Jill’s answer is honest and grounded.

“Make sure it’s really what you want to do,” she says. “Be ready to work and to think outside the box.”

She is not chasing rapid growth or big wins. Her goal is simpler and deeply personal.

“I’m not trying to get rich,” she says. “I just want to make a living and be part of the community.”

A Business Built on Heart

Through every challenge, Jill has stayed committed to what matters most: feeding people, caring for her community, and creating something meaningful.

In many ways, that is what makes her business more than just a place to eat.

It is a reflection of resilience, purpose, and the simple power of a good meal.

You can find This or That Southern Cooking at 905 E. Subway Blvd. in Nevada, Missouri, serving lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow the business on Facebook for daily menu updates or call 417-321-5194 for more information.

Supporting Businesses Supports Community

We believe small businesses led by women are powerful engines of community transformation. We believe that with the right resources and support, rural entrepreneurs can create jobs and opportunities that allow children and grandchildren to build their futures right here at home. When rural businesses thrive, entire communities flourish.

When you support New Growth, you empower rural entrepreneurs to build businesses that create jobs and opportunities. Every donation helps a small business owner access the counseling, credit, and capital they need to succeed. This helps communities grow. It helps to create opportunities so the next generation can stay and thrive in rural Missouri. Help us do more with a donation today.

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