Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food service but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Timothy Jordan, a Private and Personal Chef, based in Littleton, CO, USA.

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

I run a personal chef company, serving families, professional athletes, special request diets, hospital recovery diets, special events, dinner parties, grocery shopping, and menu planning.

Tell us about yourself

I went to culinary school and worked in many restaurants, hotels, senior living, and catering. I taught at a cooking school, got laid off at my last job, and decided it was time to start my own thing. The thing that motivates me to do what I do is being able to express myself through my food and help people. Everyone has a lot going on, especially working parents and people with special dietary needs. I feel like my food can ease the everyday stress or help them accomplish a certain goal and actually put smiles on their faces.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is actually sticking with it over the years, solely focusing on one thing and not giving up until I actually achieved it.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is having to market your services and find customers because once you're on your own, you don't get paid unless you have steady business. In this industry, finding customers that use your services for multiple years is difficult.

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

  1. Do your research, and know the competition.
  2. Price your services competitively, and offer something the other guy doesn't.
  3. Have a good website. I get most of my customers because they are impressed by my website; it's worth the extra effort.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Running a business is a lot of work and very rewarding, but it also comes with a lot of struggles, you are now the boss, and you need to do everything by yourself. Each day brings new challenges, and how you overcome those obstacles will make or break your future successes.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thecoloradochef.com/

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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