Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maggie Norris, Founder of Whisked Away Cooking School, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Whisked Away Cooking School is a home-based cooking school for anyone who loves to cook and eat! I actually have a fair amount of people who come that don't even love to cook, but they want something different to do with their family and/or friends.
Tell us about yourself
Cooking for a living was the farthest thing from my mind, but after college, I was gifted with cooking classes. After my very first class, I knew I wanted to teach cooking for a living. I was enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu Scottsdale within six months. I did my externship at the Food Network in NYC, and when I returned to Phoenix, I started teaching right away. It took about seven years, but I eventually started teaching out of my home, and the rest is history! My motivation comes from students. Their love of the classes and the enjoyment they get from them keep me going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That's a great question! I would have to say it's all of the little accomplishments combined that have gotten me where I am today, from starting this business while working full time and just having had my daughter to 11 years later having to quickly pivot to online classes when COVID hit and everything in between.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I would have to say that it is really a 24/7 job. I do everything: menu creation, teaching, customer service, accounting, social media, etc. I can't just clock out and leave it for the day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Whatever your business is, it will not be perfect from the beginning. It will actually never be perfect, but don't let that stop you from starting.
- When people give you advice on what you SHOULD be doing with your business, always listen because people will have great ideas. However, don't let other people's ideas of what your business should look like direct you away from what you want your business to look like.
- Show up every day. There will be days when you just don't feel like doing anything because it can be overwhelming, but you always need to keep the flame lit in order for the fire to burn.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://whiskedaway.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskedAwayUSA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskedawayaz/
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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