We recently had the chance to connect with Mrs. Yonder Miller and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yonder , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
As a CEO and owner of my brand, I’m being called to step more boldly into advocacy and protection of what we built. In the past, I was hesitant to challenge systems head-on by asking the right questions, even the uncomfortable ones, to fully understand how decisions are being made around me and how they impact my business and community. In the past, I often held back, worried that questioning authority or pushing too hard might close doors. Now, I see that asking direct, informed questions is not confrontation, it’s leadership. It’s how I protect my brand, my team, and the legacy we’re building.
Now, I recognize that protecting my family’s legacy and the brand we’ve created requires me to do exactly those things: to use my voice, pursue justice when necessary, and lead with courage. I no longer see these steps as risks, but as responsibilities that come with building something meant to outlast me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Yonder Miller, and I serve as CEO and Founder of Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee, alongside my mother, Yonder Gordon, CEO and Founder of Way Down Yonder New Orleans Finest Restaurant. Together, we’ve built two restaurant concepts deeply rooted in New Orleans culture, hospitality, and tradition.
What makes our brand unique is that it was born from our family recipes and fueled by a passion for creating spaces where people can gather, enjoy authentic flavors, and feel a true sense of belonging. Over the years, we’ve proudly served thousands of guests, created jobs, and contributed to the local economy, proving that food can be both purposeful and transformative.
Today, our focus is on expanding our footprint in Columbus, exploring franchise opportunities, and establishing a flagship location that will allow us to share our culture, legacy, and love for community on an even larger scale.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The people who saw me clearly before I could see myself were my parents, my namesake, whom I lovingly call Big Yonder, and my father, Michael. They invested deeply in me from the very beginning. As a child, I didn’t need a crowd of friends; I had an imagination filled with conversations, play, and even teaching moments with my “imaginary students.” My mother noticed this and bought me a chalkboard after watching me use the wall as a projector and a stick as my pointer. At the time, my parents owned a daycare center, and I would step in to help with the older kids while encouraging the younger ones to practice Hooked on Phonics. Even then, they saw something in me long before I ever did.
My parents were intentional about exposing me to everything, sports, activities, and new experiences, whether I excelled or simply learned along the way. My mother often reminds me of the story behind my name: during her pregnancy, she says God came to her in a dream and told her she would have a girl named Yonder, because she would one day be a teacher to many. She has never stopped telling me that story, and I carry it with me as a reminder of the purpose and faith that shaped my journey. My parents always believed I was destined for greatness, even before I could see it in myself.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Embrace the moment, because it’s real. Trust that even the small things now are building something greater.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Faith and family always come first. Community will always mean more than money. Hard work and integrity pay off, even when no one is watching. And food is more than business, it’s culture, love, and connection. These truths are so foundational to who I am that I rarely have to speak them aloud; they naturally guide how I live, lead, and serve.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing what I was born to do. My mother always told me that God gave her my name in a dream and said I would be a teacher to many. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but now I can see how every step of my journey has been shaped by that truth. Through Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee and Way Down Yonder New Orleans Finest Restaurant, I have the opportunity to teach, serve, and build community every single day.
This work is more than a business, it’s a calling. Over the years, our family has invested deeply, created jobs, and poured into the community through food, culture, and hospitality. Now, as we prepare for expansion and franchising, I see clearly that what we’ve built is not just for us, but for others to carry forward. I wasn’t told to do this, I was born to do this. It’s purpose, it’s legacy, and it’s what keeps me moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wdybeignets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdybeignets/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonder-miller-05585b256/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdybeignets/
Image Credits
Darrean Brown Photography
