Hi everyone! I am starting to write my business plan and I can't wait to officially get started with my new career! My husband is totally behind me and is going to take over being the "benefits bunny." He meets a lot of ppl in his job as a child and family counselor to troubled youth. He usually mentions my personal chef ideas to get feedback. Its been amazing..people have been very receptive..to the point they remember and ask! Anyway, I hope to buy my membership and training material in the next few months. Is anyone from the Richmond, VA area? If so do you have any pointers?
While I am not from Virginia, I wanted to say welcome. Also, if there is any way for you to come up with the money now (pull it from somewhere else or whatever), do so. Purchasing your training material will certainly jumpstart your business in a big way!
I was going to wait until our IRS refund check came in, then we thought, why not take it out of my wife's summer money (she is a teacher) and we can just put the money back in when the refund comes in.
I am so glad that we didn't wait to order the material. There is so much information in it to help you get off on the right foot. Things are coming together a lot faster than I thought they would by just listening to the advice of others both in the material and on the forums.
The saying, "Don't re-invent the wheel", is a very true saying. Listen to those that have gone successfully before you and you can't go wrong.
I wish you all the best in your new business venture.
Thanks Chef Glenn! We had to send $3K to the IRS. But my husband is going to use his bonus money to help me purchase the program in the next month or so. We both agreed the faster we purchased the better off I would be. What has been your favorite activity so far as a personal chef? I want to go to the seminar but I am going to buy option A first because it is the most economical. I don't think there is a seminar near me until October. About how long did it take for you to quit your 9-5 before you were doing the personal chef thing full time?
Laurie - the next seminar that is close to you...is in Gaithersburg, MD on June 2 and 3. If you can find a way to pull it off, the seminar will give you a good 3 to 6 month jumpstart on putting your business together. Come back in and ask those that have been to a seminar whether or not it's worthwhile.
It is a significant investment in your business, but one that will pay you huge rewards in the long term.
I didn't realize there was a seminar in June. I will see if we can pull it off..my husband is great but the IRS killed us this year! I've been looking at the web pages of other PCs in my area. They all have culinary degrees and impressive credentials. I have an English degree and a little over 5 years experience as a prep cook. I also worked my way through college as a full time food service worker. I'm not afraid of hard work and challenges. I hope that my lack of formal culinary education will not hurt my kitchen credibility.
I hope that my lack of formal culinary education will not hurt my kitchen credibility.
No way...many successful personal & private chefs have no or limited formal culinary training/edcuation. Some have never worked in a restaurant, but has the flair & passion to cook well. Remember also, this is a business...and it has to be operated as such. It's more than just the food...but all that is elaborated on thru the training materials & seminars.
Good for you Laurie on you decision to open your own business. I agree with Jim, if you can attend a seminar at anytime, it is worth every penny and then some.
Jackie is correct, you do not have to formal training, you have to have the passion and drive.
I lived in Richmond, VA close to 10 years and every once in awhile I do get back to see friends. I graduated from culinary school at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and I have absolutely no restaurant experience. Prior to becoming a personal chef, I was a network engineer - so yes follow your heart. David Barrish, Director of Culinary program at J. Sargeant, is a good friend and a wealth of information. They do offer courses so this is always an option.
There's lots you can do in Richmond. Get your materials and business plan going, business name, business cards, verbal script, chef coat, a good pair of comfortable shoes. You might check out doctor's offices, hospitals, day care centers, look into schools and churches even real estate offices that might do an open house (always nice to have a little tidbit to munch on while looking!). The West Side of Richmond is no doubt where the money is but too the downtown business center would love to you see walking around in your chef coat! You have a whole city to conquer and there's lots of room for you to grow.
I had gone to a restaurant in carytown: 1 Belmont North Restaurant - I realized this was the kind of food I wanted to cook. When I came down to Nags Head in North Carolina for a holiday, I fell in love with the food at 1587 - the most compelling reason for me to make the move to the beach. I know money is tight, but do take in some culinary delights along the way.
I'm always just starting my journey. If there's anything I can do to help please let me know. It will be real nice to get you on the inside of the forums so we all can help and we look forward to seeing you in there soon. Take Jim up on that seminar - it's worth every penny.
Thanks for the great ideas! I live in Chesterfield but I am still pretty close to everything. I worked in Shockhoe Bottom for a year as a property manager for Main Street Realty. I hated collecting money..but I was great at writing marketing plans and doing marketing. I am going to target high end residential communities like Chesdin Landing and high end apartment communities. I can place fliers in their move-in packets and advertise in their newsletters. I have a friend who is running a balloon bouqet business for birthdays etc..we are going to share marketing collateral to double our exposure. I also plan on using the 17th St Farmer's Market as much as possible and that idea about walking around downtown with my chef's coat and business cards is awesome!
That's just one of the marketing tips that is covered in the seminar. Many many other tips, that can be done for free or on a shoestring budget (which most of us had when starting our ventures), nothing wrong with that!
Here's another idea....leave brochures at your husband's office. That way, after mentioning it to folks, they have some informative literature to keep to look at later (& hopefully call you).
Laurie, please keep in mind that members are allowed to opt for one of the other training packages until they are able to take advantage of a seminar. Many has done just that, me being one of them. They only pay the difference between their choice (option 1 or 2) of training materials, plus a small administrative fee. Feel free to give the home office a call at 800-644-8389, they'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
I didn't know that! I will definitely make it to a seminar now. Thank you for letting me know. My husband works from home but I am sure that he could leave brochures etc in the company's main office. Thank you for the tips!
Glenn and Jim both give well stated and great advice.
The Seminar in June, which I do not recall if this will also include all of the materials, is the best way to go.
Working and learning with other new and veteran chefs will both give you additional confidence as well as teaching you more than you could possibly imagine.
If Jim is the Instructor, you are in for a treat and superb learning experience. Tell him I sent you!! lol
Wishing you all the best and welcome to our organization ASAP!
Enjoy this new beginning for you. Great move. - John
Laurie: I started my personal chef service while living in temporary quarters in Arlington a few years ago--after living abroad for several years. Talk about a kick-start!? I took one of Jim's seminars before we had found a permanent place to live.
I had three paying clients in that same temporary housing building that first week just by shoving my (free Avery software)computer-generated brochures under doors on 20 floors! You must let your imagination take over.
The openings are out there! Look into your list of your deferments on you IRS forms, go to your personal financial advisor to learn how many of your business expenses are deductable.
This is not a game--look into it seriously. bests, lg
Ok I can't do the seminar in June. But I am going to be able to get the training materials. I also have my first big client. My husband's job is hiring me to cook for all of their events! They have a kitchen on site. I am really excited about it and it all started with the cake I made for last year's Christmas party! I will get to a seminar as soon as I can though. I can't wait to meet you guys!
