Hello, my name is Joy Craney. I’m a 34-year-old African American - creole - country-fed -city girl. Born in West Las Vegas, Nevada (aka on the west side. I have the shoe to prove it), my mom was from Louisiana, and my dad was from Las Vegas; I grew up in north town. You grow up fast under the bright lights of Sin City, and I learned how to survive quickly from watching my mother raise my two sisters and me, one younger and one older.
 
My grandma was very instrumental in my upbringing. She taught me how to sew, fish, and, most importantly, grow my fruits and vegetables in her garden. I learned how to cook at a very young age, spending summers with my granny and faithfully watching cooking shows on PBS after school! It wasn’t long that helping my mother in the kitchen, which started as a hobby, became routine.
 
At 14, my mom enrolled me in Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center (SNVTC), a magnet high school with a culinary program. There I studied both culinary and autobody! Yes, your girl can whip up a meal, change a tire, and weld a fender! I did  well with my studies, graduating early and earning my college degree.
 
At 18, I met and married my husband, to whom I have been married for 15 years. We share nine kids, 6 boys and 2 girls, and one on the way!
 
A few more things to know we’re homeschooling all of our children. I’m a businesswoman, co-founder/board member of a nonprofit organization, published author, caterer, life advisor, stay-at-home mother, and most recently restaurateur.