Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Hill, Author of Homemade, located in Kansas City, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The cookbook is a general cookbook with Classic Midwest American recipes as well as many of my own. Like most American cooking, there is a mixture of ethnicities and genres all rolled into one. They are simple recipes with real ingredients that you’ll actually make. It includes the following categories: breakfast, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, soups, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and cocktails. The cookbook is for any and everyone. It is a collection of easy-to-prepare recipe staples for every pantry. It is great for the beginner as well as long-time cooks because there are a lot of cooking tips. I hope it will inspire and teach people to cook more meals at home.
Tell us about yourself
I learned most of what I know about cooking from my mother, who learned from her mother. I didn’t grow up on the farm, but I have relatives who are farmers and, well, let’s just say we know a thing or two about good food! I learned the rest of my cooking knowledge from my formal education.
I have a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences (FCS), and I taught high school FCS for four years. I decided to stay home when my twins were born, and I loved being home with them. I still love teaching and the FCS umbrella of subjects. I think they are essential and teach us how to become functioning adults and members of society. I approach my recipes with an educator’s mindset. Hopefully, you find them easy to follow and easy to prepare.
I am married to my love. We have been married since 2005. He is a very talented commercial photographer. We own 8183 Productions in downtown KC. It is a production studio where we produce outstanding stills and motion adverting content for businesses and agencies. I am the chief financial officer. We have two children—fraternal twins. Being twins has its unique joys and challenges, and we love them very much! I am a very crafty person, and I love to create and work with my hands. My hobbies include knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and embroidery, sewing, quilting, canning, gardening, cooking, baking, and cookie and cake decorating. I also love to throw pottery but haven’t found the time in the last few years. I am a mid-century girl at heart. I love the fifties and anything vintage. Some of my favorite pastimes are thrifting and antiquing. The theme of my cookbook definitely has the mid-century vintage vibe that I love, and so do a lot of my recipes!
While I was a stay-at-home mom, I found myself slipping away a bit. I was knee-deep in dirty diapers and schedules. I needed to do something for myself as a creative outlet. So I created a video cooking blog to share my recipes and teach people how to cook simple and delicious meals for their families. I started it in January 2015 and have enjoyed every minute of it. This cookbook is a companion to the blog. I hope you enjoy the recipes and check out the how-to videos on my blog: www.midwestcooking.net. I want to inspire and teach new generations how to cook great meals at home for themselves and their families. I want to bring back family meals and time spent together with mom or dad in the kitchen preparing them. I bring a modern spin to classic vintage-style recipes.
I love being from the Midwest. It’s the heart of the country, and there is so much wide-open space, even in the city. A lot of my recipes are inspired by my Midwest roots. I hope this cookbook gives you some staple recipes you will share with your families. Enjoy the food and the time together!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The cookbook is a fantastic accomplishment. I am so proud of it. One customer described them as getting a hug from home. That is exactly the feeling I was going for. I praise God for all He has done for me by getting this book published. I hope it takes off and starts a movement of cooking more at home.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Perseverance. You will have many obstacles in your path, but a dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Dream, it all starts with a dream.
- Plan, make a plan, and set attainable long-term and short-term goals.
- Celebrate- stop to smell the roses and celebrate successes as they come. It helps keep you motivated for the long haul.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cookhomemade.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithcourtney05
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homemadecourtney/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-hill-135450103/
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.
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