Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food service but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chef Darrell, Owner of Seasons Personal Chef, located in Charleston, SC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a Personal Chef, and my customers are anyone who would like a unique dining experience in their home. Whether a local or people on vacation.
Tell us about yourself
After 30 years in the food and beverage industry, I discovered the personal chef business and immediately fell in love with it. Food brings people together, and you can show a complete stranger love through a dinner.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Taking the steps to be self-employed. People comment that "it must be great to work your own hours, not have to answer to anyone." In actuality, that part may be true, but you also don't have a steady paycheck coming in. If you are not working, you are not getting paid. After more than ten years of this, I am now expanding and teaching another person to become a personal chef. I am as excited as they are. Two things I never thought I would be doing: running my own business and training a sous chef.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a personal chef, keeping up with food trends. You are not out working a restaurant day after day, so you have to keep up self-learning. Also, the personal chef business has grown tremendously, so marketing is a constant battle.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Make sure you are 100% sure you want to run a business. Not just being mad at your boss and thinking you know everything. Humble yourself, and work out in your industry for at least five years to understand your chosen industry's ins and outs. Ask others who have started their own business, and surround yourself with knowledgeable people, not just "yes" people. You need to know the good, but it is very important to know the bad. The truth is hard to hear sometimes, but in the long run, it will save you time and money.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I mentioned being humble, and I truly believe that. You have to, of course, be knowledgeable and have wisdom in whatever venture you are going into, but that doesn't mean you have to be a "know-it-all." Get another perspective, then compromise, and base your decision on what you have learned.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://personalchefcharlestonsc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasons_personal_chef/
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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