LABELLE- Serving up smoked pulled pork, fried green tomatoes, country fried steak, and even a BBQ pork mac and cheese grilled cheese sandwich, Amber Bass is a married mom of three, who has worked in the restaurant industry her whole life. She grew up in Alva, but has spent a lot of her time in Hendry County. She is the owner and operator of The Sassy Bass, a food truck that serves good, old fashioned, southern food with original, sassy creations.

“We have only been in business a little over a month, we opened Swamp Cabbage weekend, but I have been doing this as long as I can remember,” she said. “We have a permanent menu that consists of your southern diner basics and we have new specials daily.”

She did a stint in the Air Force, is a certified dental assistant, and has worked in warehouses and as a truck driver, but always feels herself drawn back to the restaurant world, “I love to cook and I love serving and talking to people, making new friends and reconnecting with old ones. This is my calling,” said Bass. “My favorite part is seeing the smiling faces after someone tries one of the recipes I have poured my heart and soul into, and honestly the support I have received from the community has been overwhelming, I am so thankful.”

“I have been very lucky to have not only friends and family frequent us regularly, but also many of the amazing customers I have served over the years at places like the Log Cabin and the Alva Diner have been regulars since we've opened. Some even driving great distances to support me, grateful doesn't even begin to describe the feeling this gives me,” she added.

She says customers may see her own niece, cousin, and mother lending a helping hand from time to time, truly a family business, “Right now, I don't have any official employees, but my lifelong friend and neighbor helps me regularly. We have worked together at many jobs of different varieties for decades,” she said. “I also have help from different people in the community, some who have had struggles in the past or have never worked in the business before. I'm a big believer in giving second chances and first opportunities, you never know what someone is capable of until you give them a chance to show you.”

One day she hopes to have an official payroll, but for now she is grateful for the many people who have come together to help her.

“My family motivates me the most, I have been blessed with an amazing husband and three terrific kids and they are my inspiration to get up every morning,” Bass said. She and her family live in Felda, “Hendry County just felt more like home, it's the type of community I wanted to raise my children in. I have always been somewhat connected to this community,” she explained. “I enjoy being involved in the various charity events this community puts together to help those in need, as I said before this is home and I couldn't be prouder to be part of such an amazing place.“

“If I could change one thing, it'd be the divisiveness that sometimes happens over issues. Of course we can't all agree on everything but I wish instead of arguing and being rude, we could all come together, maybe break bread and discuss these things. Try and understand each other's perspectives and reach a compromise that is comfortable for everyone.”

When asked about her business philosophy, she said, “I'm not sure I have an actual business philosophy, I just try to put kindness and decency into the world and hope the world gives me the same back, so far I feel like it's been returned in spades. Obviously I have big hopes for the future, when it comes to success, but for the moment I just hope to worry a little less and laugh a little more.”

For more information on when, what, and where you can find this awesome new food truck, visit The Sassy Bass on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesassybass/

“I'm always open to trying new things though, so if you have a suggestion or a request please feel free to let me know on my Facebook page and if it's possible I will make it happen!”