Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sasha Reyes, Founder of Artisan Personal Chefs, located in Mesa, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Artisan personal chefs is an all-woman personal chef team that provides gourmet in-home dining experiences for groups of 4-24.
Tell us about yourself
My first opportunity as a personal chef was a stroke of luck. I was working as a line cook at the time when a friend from culinary school reached out and connected me to a pro baseball player client. My life literally changed overnight! There have been so many twists and turns along the way (I’ve been in business for ten years!). I’ve gone through a divorce, and of course, during COVID, we had so many uncertainties. I can say that cooking is always a passion for me, and I would not want to do anything else, but it’s my kids that fuel me, and now I have a whole team of women that inspire me to keep pushing!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
From a numbers standpoint, my biggest accomplishment is continuous growth. Truly the greatest accomplishment, though, is building a team of strong and talented women. We are like a sisterhood!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it’s anything and everything that involves technology. Every day that becomes a greater challenge as entrepreneurs. We need to also be social media content creators and marketing gurus. Implementation of systems that automate administrative work. It’s all gibberish to me; I’d much rather be in the kitchen.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be absolutely sure that it’s what you want and have a clear vision of how you plan to achieve it. The. When life changes (which it inevitably will), be prepared to scrap that whole plan and go in another direction, lol. As long as the desire is there, you will keep pushing through any hurdles. Also, surround yourself with the right people, knowledgeable and inspiring people will keep you motivated.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Many folks ask: Why is it that I have decided to keep my team all female? The answer is the restaurant world is very male-dominated. I personally have faced wage discrimination, sexual harassment, injuries on the job, and a disregard for my life as a mother outside the workplace. I wanted to provide a safe space for talented women to create delicious food, have a work-life balance, and get compensated well for their efforts!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://artisanpersonalchefs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sasha.reyes.5036/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Sasha_cooks_az/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-reyes-chef-a76333ab/
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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