Discussion Forums
for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hi!
What a great source of inspiration this board is! I am a divorced single parent in Jacksonville, Fl with a 10 yr old. I currently work for corporate America and it is burning out my spirit. I LOVE cooking and after being offered payment to cook for a friend's family, thought "Well, hey...this could be a business." I had never heard of this business but saw an ad for it in a magazine and put the term "personal chef" in my browser's search engine. I've found you!
I've found articles about you in national papers and magazines. Where have you been all my life?
I am almost terrified at the aspect of leaving my salary, company car and benefits and jumping out of the plane into the atmosphere. I MUST make it if I go into this. I have no parachute. Please give me the sanest advice you have.
Thank you!
Aerie

Hello Aerie.
Thank you for your thoughtful message. I think there are quite a few potential "corporate fugitives" out there who not only have the same dream of owning their own business, but also have the same concerns as you about giving up their corporate benefits in order to do it. Your comment about your corporate position "burning out your spirit" is well taken. I was a corporate person for many years, who cooked in a restaurant on occasional weekends, who finally faced the truth that although the corporate money was great, and the benefits and perks were generous, I was "dying by inches", and that if I didn't just LEAVE, I would die in that job...Fortunately for me, I was single at the time and have no children so it was easier to leave and throw myself off the self-employment cliff. I haven't looked back once, but it wasn't always an easy trip.

The difference between being an employee and actually owning your own business and controlling your own destiny is like night and day. I may work 20 hours one day to accomplish a task or program, but it's for myself, and everything I create is through my own committment to excellence, so I can look at it and be proud of what I have accomplished. No one can ever again put a "ceiling" on what you can do or earn, and there are no dress codes, work hours or schedules, soul-numbing meetings to attend, no brief cases or annual reviews, and best of all NO PANTYHOSE!!!

However, reality is reality. In order to transition into owning your own business while providing for your child, you really should make sure you have a 3-6 month financial cushion. I think you can convert your health care coverage through COBRA for almost 18 months until you secure a new policy that works for you and is affordable. Setting aside enough money to cover yourselves for that time will free your mind so that you can concentrate on promoting and building your business. Starting a business is not a walk in the park...you have to have focus and perseverance, but if you are absolutely committed to succeeding, there is no joy like the joy of controlling your own life.
The Personal Chef Industry is new, and that's exciting. The "players" who are entering the game right now are the ones who will grow and represent this industry in the future as it grows even bigger and continues to evolve, and that's exciting as well, but it's still hard work, and potential Personal Chefs have to know that up front.
The initial investment in start-up is considered minimal by start-up standards, but there is still some initial outlay as well that you will have to cover. The purchase of a training program (from either of the 2 National Associations) is advised since they are actually "road-maps" designed to save you time and money spent on mistakes, plus they provide the depth of talent, credibility, and available networking that only a national professional association can provide. It's also a source of strength, since you can be in contact with other members of your association daily, so that you don't feel as if you are "out there by yourself". The generosity of spirit by most of the people in this industry is overwhelming, and I am proud to be a part of them.

I love this industry. I have spent the last 7 years contributing to it's growth and development, and intend to be a large part of it's future growth and development as well.
I thank you for your question, Aerie, and also thank you for your nice words about our website. We worked very hard on it, and we work hard every day making sure that it stays at the top of the Search Engines so people looking for a way to start their own businsses, like you, can find us.

Whatever you decide - best wishes for your success!
Candy Wallace

Thank you Candy for taking the time to respond to my questions. I appreciate it and am going to keep an eye on this site while I work my way out of the corporate jungle. I have already made up my mind to do this..I just have to get our basic living expenses covered until I can make the jump! Thanks, again.