Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Virginia Stockwell, Founder of How to Become a Personal Chef, located in Charlottesville, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
You've always said that "someday" you'll start that meal prep or dinner party business, but where do you begin? I'll show you the step-by-step of starting and running a successful personal chef business, from pricing to marketing and bookkeeping. My customers are aspiring chefs and home cooks who want to work for themselves and have control over their own hours and income.
Tell us about yourself
As a personal chef for the past ten years, I built business workflows to ensure each aspect was run in a systematized fashion and each fine detail was covered, from customer consultation to follow-through, as well as the behind-the-scenes paperwork. I wanted to share this experience with others so they could reproduce those systems in a way that works for their personal chef business model. I began my personal chef business to help busy families who work all day and then come home wanting healthy weeknight dinners. I am motivated most by the relationships that develop as I become a part of the families lives.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is knowing that every day I am helping one more aspiring personal chef move closer to their dream of running a successful business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of being a business owner is keeping up the morale and motivation of my students, though it is also the best part. I get to be the cheerleader who helps move their momentum along and overcome discouragements they may encounter.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Everything is possible. You can achieve absolutely anything you want in life if you're willing to put in the effort that it takes.
- If starting a business was easy, then everybody would be doing it! When you have the drive to achieve, you will overcome seemingly impossible obstacles to achieve your goals.
- Never ever argue for your limitations. Making excuses about why something cannot be accomplished is just that, an excuse that stems out of fear of the unknown. You have to be the first to believe it's achievable.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.virginiastockwell.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howtopersonalchef
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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