Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lesa & Violette Lewis, founders of The Handmade Chef, located in San Diego, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a wife and wife chef team and co-creators of The Handmade Chef. We specialize in private, customized dining experiences that feature locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. We service clients all over San Diego, ranging from intimate dinner parties, fun family-style events, meals on private jets and yachts, and high-level corporate retreats.
Tell us about yourself
Lesa has been in the industry for over 15 years. A graduate of The San Diego Culinary Institute in 2007. She went to work at Mister A’s, The Gourmet Group, and Fox Restaurant Group.
Violette has been in the industry for almost 20 years. A graduate of The Art Institute of California - San Diego in 2005. She worked for Marriott Hotels, Cohen Restaurant Group, and Festivities Catering.
We met in 2013 working for a corporate dining company, and later both moved on to the Wild Thyme Company.
In March of 2020, the pandemic hit, and they were both left unemployed. As time went on and restrictions continued, we began getting requests for private dinners from friends and family. Soon our calendars were full of events, and The Handmade Chef was born.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Creating a brand, consistent clientele, and a six-figure revenue in less than a year.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As our business has grown so quickly, trying not to fall into the old industry habits of working 24/7. Taking a step back and allowing time to let ourselves recharge without feeling guilty for taking time off. Creating the systems that will allow us to expand our business and begin to mentor other chefs.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you are passionate about what you are doing and have a good understanding of your business.
- Maintain consistency with your clients and services.
- Work on setting up your processes, procedures, and routines so that you can eventually train a successful team to do the work for you.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Working for ourselves has allowed us to be more successful in our careers and family than we ever imagined.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.thehandmadechef.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehandmadechef/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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