Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jerran Boyer, Owner of Health Nut Chefs, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

We are a nutrition-focused personal chef company working with families in the Tri-State and Los Angeles areas. Our clientele range from busy families looking to have healthy meals to individuals with various health conditions and diseases. We design menus specific to each client we work with, highlighting organic and seasonal foods.

Tell us about yourself

I began my career as a personal chef in Palm Beach, FL, in 2003 after graduating from culinary school. In early 2009, I moved to NYC because I always wanted to “live in a big city."

I did not have a job or know anyone, and I worked various jobs (some unrelated to cooking) just to support myself. Eventually, I was able to build up enough personal chef clients to work full-time as a chef and support myself.

During this time, my cooking evolved to become more health- and nutrition-focused. I began to understand the connection between what we put in our bodies daily and how it affects our health. This was in part due to working with clients with various dietary restrictions and health conditions.

In 2013, as my business grew, I hired other chefs in the coming years and phased out of cooking to managing the business full-time in 2015.

Currently, I have six chefs in the Tri-State Area and four in the Los Angeles area. Together, we work with various clientele to help people be their healthiest through food and, in some cases, work through health conditions.

What motivates me each day is knowing that we are making an impact, no matter how small, in helping individuals be healthier. This has led me to my current path of working toward a master's degree in nutrition. My long-term goal is to become an RD (registered dietician).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been building Health Nut Chefs from scratch in NYC. Initially, I was doing all of the cooking myself until I made the decision to grow the company and hire other chefs. Since then, we have expanded to NJ and now CA.

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

One of the biggest challenges that come with being a business owner is that you are (or should be) absolutely invested in and passionate about what you do. Running a business often means having multiple roles within the company as well. And when building a business means working long hours.

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

First, find a need that is unmet (or a niche within an unmet need) and create a business based on this.

Second, stay focused. There will be constant challenges, each of which can be an opportunity to learn and grow professionally.

Third, start small and keep overhead to a minimum.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you are passionate about what you do, creating and running a business will be rewarding every day. Even on the tough days!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.healthnutchefs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthnutchefs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerranboyer/

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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