WILMINGTON, N.C. — Danielle Mahon works hard to make sure that families are able to spend quality time together.
“One of the things that we really aim for is not just to be able to provide dinner, but provide an experience, right?” Mahon said. “So we don’t want you to have to focus on cooking and cleaning and shopping, we just want you to focus on sitting around the table and spending time with friends and family to make memories.”
It’s something she strives to do all while spending time with her own loved ones. Topsail Steamer is a business run by family.
“It’s a dream come true, with both my kids,” Mahon said. “Emily and Jimmy started in the beginning, building buckets, and now they’ve moved into other positions.”
While they run things on the coast at their two locations in Topsail Island and Wrightsville Beach, Mahon has more family working hard in their New Jersey locations, employing a sister, a brother-in-law and even nieces and nephews. Working as a family is something they all love.
“It’s fun. It’s nice to work with your family in a different environment than you would normally in,” said Emily, Mahon's daughter. “And it’s kind of fun to see how everyone gets along and how a business can grow with a family dynamic behind it.”
They started the business from the ground up after Mahon decided to leave her career in corporate America, where she was working in life sciences. Even that move was inspired by her family.
“I made that left turn to really follow in my father's entrepreneurial footsteps and also to follow my passion for cooking, and being with friends and family, and gathering,” Mahon said. “So, that’s really where it all came from and I’m just so grateful to be able to be on this journey with my friends and family and to have the success that we’ve had.”
Topsail Steamer has definitely been a success for the team. For Mother’s Day, they shipped out 150 orders all over the country, including some to Alaska and Hawaii.
For Mahon's son, Jimmy, who studied business at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, that success is inspiring.
“I love it. I’m able to spend a lot more time around my family than I would if I was in any other position,” Jimmy said. “Not only is it awesome to see this thing grow from the ground up with my family members, but that extra time that we get to spend together is really valuable.”
Now everyday that she’s working, Mahon is reminded of how lucky she is.
“As a mother, I feel extremely lucky everyday,” Mahon said. “I love working with both my kids everyday and having them be involved with this business as we grow.”