Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food service but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melissa Badeaux-Shepherd, Co-Owner of Two Chef Mission, located in Casselberry, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Two Chef Mission offers personal chef services to local families and vacationers to the Orlando area. We offer vacation meal delivery, breakfast boxes, and onsite personal chef services.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up around food with my family and have always had great memories around the table with shared meals. With a supportive mom to embrace my creative endeavors, I decided to follow my passion towards a degree. After I graduated with my Bachelor's in Culinary Management, I traveled to Orlando to join the Walt Disney Resort as an intern. After my internship ended, I was hired full-time as a cook and began working my way up to a chef assistant position. My husband and I decided we wanted more creative freedom than any company could provide, so this brought on the beginnings of what Two Chef Mission would become.
We opened our company and began offering custom menus tailored to our clients for onsite personal chef experiences and delivering meals to their homes. After a few years of our company growing and hitting new goals, we would ultimately reach an increase in growth just after the pandemic, with Disney fan pages on social media being our main source of expansion. We are motivated to continue to share our creative menus and expertise with all who travel to Orlando and call this city home. We love sharing our passion and joy for delicious food with all who have had the pleasure to use us for any occasion.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting to a place where our business can be full-time. It has taken years and a lot of consistent work, but it has been completely worth it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are definitely many challenges, but I would say that as a parent of 2 young children, it would be finding any semblance of balance between working and off time. As a business owner, during the start-up, it's all on you to keep it going, so if you are not working, then the business is not working. I'm lucky to have started this business with my husband, but that has also meant that we have made many sacrifices through working towards this goal together.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you really want to create something, do it and keep doing it. Consistency makes all difference, and it does not happen overnight.
- It will probably not work out the first time, but that does not mean giving up. Two Chef Mission has changed so much over the years. It would not be what it is today if we didn't push it into what it has become.
- Always keep learning. Read, go to events, and listen to podcasts. Do anything and everything you can to keep growing!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://twochefmission.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twochefmission
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twochefmission/
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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