Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jenna Caruso, Founder of Caruso's Heat and Eat, located in Arvada, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Caruso's Heat and Eat deliver oven-ready meals within a ten-mile radius of the Arvada area. All meals are made with fresh ingredients and par-cooked, so all you have to do is heat them in the oven and enjoy! Caruso's Heat and Eat meals are perfect for anyone and everyone. Busy families who don't have enough time to shop, prep, and cook during the week. Singles and couples who don't want to worry about what to cook for dinner after a long day of work. And even your aging parents who may not have the stamina to make a home-cooked meal anymore. We all know dinner can be daunting at times, yet eating out or grabbing fast food isn't always the best option, and that's where Caruso's Heat and Eat comes in. Meals are ordered the week before and are delivered on Monday and Tuesday, and there is no subscription needed, so if you are out of town or have other plans that week, it's easy to skip and pick back up when it's most convenient for you.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in a big Italian family where cooking is at the heart of everything and has been bringing us together for as long as I can remember. Every holiday is a production my best memories come from making homemade pasta with my grandmother. I think it is safe to say that this is where my passion for cooking and genuine love for feeding others blossomed. I graduated from Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts in 2014 and got my first job immediately after at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center. It was here that I learned how to cook for thousands of people at a time and gained much of the knowledge I still carry with me today. I then went on to cook at numerous Colorado restaurants, where I gained a more profound understanding of cooking and a different side of the culinary world. It wasn't until I landed the head chef job at a new up-and-coming Arvada restaurant, Lot One, that I felt all my hard work and time had finally paid off. This was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I learned what it took to start a restaurant from the ground up. From selecting plates and silverware to creating the menu and hiring staff, it was all things I knew I needed to learn but hadn't had the chance until now. After my time at Lot One, I finally had the confidence to venture out on my own and share my passion with the world in a way I had always wanted, and Caruso's Heat and Eat was born! To me, there is no better motivation in this world than owning your own business and knowing that you and only you are responsible for the successes and failures that arise every day. I finally have the power to create the future I have always wanted for myself, and I know that through hard work, dedication, and gratitude, that can and will become my reality.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The sole fact that I am a business owner is my most significant accomplishment to date. I was never the smartest kid in school or the fastest runner in the race, and owning my own business always seemed like something so far from reach for me. I knew I had the culinary skills, but the business and the financial side of things scared me more than anything and, to be honest, always held me back from taking the leap. Once I turned 30, I realized my fears were just that, fears, and it was time for me to put my big girl pants on and start making things happen for myself. With a positive attitude and a lot of trial and error, things finally began to fall into place, and it excites me to think this is only the beginning.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The beginning stages of becoming a business owner have been the hardest for me. Not having enough money to buy all the equipment needed, learning how to acquire the proper business licenses, and setting up a website... are all hard, expensive, and time-consuming. But accomplishing each of them one step at a time is also extremely rewarding and fulfilling. So when the grind gets tough, I have to remind myself to take it one day at a time, stay positive, and keep pushing because it's all going to be worth it.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Utilize friends and family who may know more about certain aspects of your business than you. Maybe you have a cousin who is a CPA and can look at your financials to ensure you are on the right track, or perhaps you have a sibling who can help you build your website or help you design your logo. Utilize those around you who love and care about you and want to see you succeed.
  2. Set up meetings with others in the community with similar concepts. Not to steal their ideas or take away their customers but to simply ask questions, learn and grow from their experiences. You would be surprised at how many lovely people there are willing to give you ideas and advice that could be instrumental in your journey.
  3. Stay positive, always be grateful for your customers, and show them your gratitude. Sometimes just saying thank you isn't enough. Send them a handwritten thank you note with a gift card or include a free meal with their next order to show them how much you appreciate them. These small gestures can go a long way and will keep your customers returning for years.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't take life too seriously, be confident in your talents and be proud to share them with the world.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.carusosheatandeat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenna.a.caruso
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef_caruso/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.