We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dominique Allen. Check out our conversation below.
Dominique, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I actually had a hard time choosing between two icebreaker questions, “What’s misunderstood about your business?” and “What are you most proud of building that nobody sees?” because for me, they’re connected. What people often misunderstand about All Good Things Café and Vegan Juiceology is that they’re not just food brands; they’re rooted in purpose, faith, and community. Everything we serve has intention behind it, from sourcing local ingredients to creating spaces that feel like home. But the part most people don’t see is the quiet grind that holds it all together, the structure, the discipline, and the resilience built behind the scenes. The menus, the vibe, and the creativity are visible, but the unseen work, the early mornings, late nights, and lessons in patience, that’s where the real story lives.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dominique “Chef Dom J” Allen, a creative rooted in flavor, faith, and fearlessness. I run All Good Things Café and Vegan Juiceology, two brands that grew from my kitchen counter to community tables across Baltimore. What I do goes beyond food, it’s about energy, intention, and storytelling through every dish, juice, and experience. I built these brands to nourish people in more ways than one, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Everything I touch blends hustle with heart, structure with soul. Right now, I’m focused on growing All Good Things Café as a neighborhood anchor where food meets culture, and every plate has purpose.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My first real taste of power came from sacrifice. I was a multi-sport athlete in high school, captain of the basketball, softball, and volleyball teams at City. During my junior year, I met my mentor through a program called the Baltimore Youth Alliance. It was an SAT program that helped students from underserved communities in Baltimore and the surrounding counties prepare for college through reading, writing, and math development. He challenged me to think bigger, to bet on my mind the same way I’d bet on my athletic ability. So I quit basketball and softball my senior year to focus on studying. I took the SAT every single time it was offered, memorized words until they lived in my head, and pushed through the frustration of failure until the numbers changed. My score jumped from the 700s to over 1200, and I earned a full academic scholarship to Morgan State University. That moment taught me the real meaning of power, it’s not control or fame, it’s discipline. It’s choosing long-term impact over instant gratification. That lesson became the foundation for everything I’ve built since.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her, “You did good.”
A few years ago, one of my favorite aunts said something that’s stayed with me ever since. She said, “Jessica (some of my family still call me by my middle name), ever since you were a kid, you’ve always been kind. You’ve always been sweet. You’ve always carried a pot of gold on your back.” That hit me deep because she was right. Even as a kid, I had this natural pull to help people, to make sure everyone felt seen, included, and cared for. I’ve always had a giving heart and a genuine desire to pour into others in whatever way I can.
That same spirit still walks with me today. If I see someone trying to grow, I’ll find a way to pour into them. If I’ve got it, I’ll share it, whether that’s a space to crash, advice to help them move forward, or a small investment to help them dream bigger. That’s just who I am to my core. So yeah, I’d tell my younger self, “You did good.” Thank you for giving me the foundation to be the woman that I am today, one still carrying that same pot of gold on her back and shining the light she never put down..
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?
One truth that’s foundational in my life is that I’m the same person to my core, but when it comes to business versus personal, I understand the perfect dichotomy between the two. In my personal life, I’m laid-back, warm, and easy to laugh with. I love connecting, joking around, and keeping good energy. But in business, I’m direct, professional, and intentional. I believe in clarity, accountability, and getting things done.
Sometimes those worlds overlap, especially when I’m working with friends or people in my community, but even then, I know how to separate the two. You can be my friend, but when it’s time to handle business, it’s straight business. Then when the work is done, we can kiki and laugh again. I think that balance has helped me build genuine relationships that last because people know where I stand. It’s never about ego, it’s about respect, alignment, and the mutual understanding that we can work hard and still share good energy.
That’s also the core of my leadership style, leading with love, but with structure. I believe in empowering people to grow, but also holding them accountable to the vision. It’s the same balance I bring to my community: compassion with boundaries, creativity with focus. That truth keeps me grounded in every space I lead, from the kitchen to the boardroom.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. Ever since I was a kid, I loved cooking. When my parents would cook, I’d pull up a chair to the stove just to watch. That’s why those crispy-edged pancakes hit the way they do, granted, we were using Aunt Jemima back in the day, but I’ve since mastered my own from-scratch pancake mix.
My parents are the reason leadership and drive come naturally to me, which ties to legacy. My dad is a leader and educator, and my mom always had unmatched hustle. She was the top fundraiser at Cardinal Shehan when I was growing up, and whether we had to sell candy or pizza, Mom got it done. Through them, I saw leadership, work ethic, and love for others all woven together. Even now, they still pour that same energy into me as an adult, and it continues to guide how I move through life.
I used to tell people I wanted to have my own restaurant one day and even dreamed of living above it. I ended up doing exactly that with my first juice bar on Howard Street.
Now I live in Reservoir Hill, the same community as my café, All Good Things. It’s funny how life comes full circle. Even as a kid, I was experimenting with sauces, mixing new flavors, and watching my grandmother cook in addition to my parents just to learn. I was born to do this. Cooking, creating, and leading are all in me. Whether it’s being a team captain in sports, leading a class project in my MBA program in 2016, or building a business from the ground up, leadership has always been my natural language. I was born to lead, to build, and to serve through the work I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allgoodthingscafe.com
- Instagram: @allgoodthings.cafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allgoodthings.cafe
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/all-good-things-caf%C3%A9-baltimore
Image Credits
Dominique J. Allen
