Discussion Forums
for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hello, all--I've been quietly lurking for several months now. I have to admit, I've gotten a lot of free and very useful information from you guys. After I made the decision to open a second business (I'm also a photographer & a handmade book and paper maker) I painstakingly set up my website, submitted my URL to search engines, printed flyers, mailed postcards, networked a little...basically thought "I'm going to be making so much money doing what I love in no time at all". Well, reality has set in hard. A little background, I have a BFA...as in art--noooo business. However, my mother owns and operates one of the largest catering companies in Ft. Worth which I worked at for 15 years from washing dishes to prepping food to cooking to meeting with clients to finally total event coordinator. So I did obtain some business sense along the way, but apparently not enough because I have had *several* hits to my site, a few phone inquiries but NO ORDERS yet. I have however gotten one small catering job out of it (cooked on site so was legal--I'm sensitive to that issue) and one wedding consultant gig. Basically I've realized my folly, recognize that Candy apparently is the goddess of personal chef success and I'm here to introduce myself and let you know that as soon as I can scrape the money together I'm going to get the materials so that I can actually do this thing right. I really, really wish I could join all of you in Boston! (Candy I'll probably call you tomorrow or Friday to see if I can use multiple payment methods ;-) The more I look into the training and support materials, the more I think I've been nuts to think I could do all of this myself. So, new member. Real soon. I did however want to get some feedback in the meantime if possible on my site because I think there must be something on it that's scaring people away. I don't understand why I haven't had any bites because Austin is a town with *lots* of disposable income and I've been targeting people who I thought would be perfect clients. Anyway, here's the link:
I know it's a mouthful and I should have my domain soon--that's in the works. Anyway, basically just wanted to say howdy ya'll--I look forward to hearing from you guys. Btw, Candy I loved your story about your dog's penachant for avocados and his own I-don't-need-a-paper-bag method of ripening them. I was just about rolling on the floor. My dog's favorite food is watermelon. We slice off a piece for him, take him out on the porch and he puts his paws on either side and starts gnawing away, eating seeds and all...but he stops just at the rind. It's probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen.



[This message has been edited by chefcandy (edited August 23, 2000).]

Hi there, Greenbelt Chef! What a fun message! The only thing I had to do was delete your website reference since advertising isn't allowed in the Open Forum.
I thought your site was a hoot - I love that 50's Diner stuff, and I think you are definitely on the right track in the right market. Our memberchefs in Austin are busy, busy, busy, and we're looking forward to working with you! Candy

Ooops, sorry about posting my URL--didn't think of it as advertising. Thanks, Candy for taking a look at it. You're comments are encouraging--I had a lot of fun designing it and tracking down 50's-type clip art, etc.. I really can't wait to get my hands on the materials...so I guess I'll be talking to you tomorrow!

Well, certainly hope we get to meet you in Boston...

Don't beat yourself up too much...some of use do get clients from our websites, but I suspect the most important role for our websites will be as an electronic brochure -- someone wants to know more about you and can do so on the web. Remember that you're getting hits from all over the country -- but you can only serve a small locality.

Don't you worry -- we've got all sorts of marketing ideas to get you going....and a great website will help create synergy with all of the other neat things you can try.

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Meredith
Whisk For Hire
Kensington, MD

Just wanted to let you all know that last night Greenbelt Chef and I spent a good chunk of the evening swapping dog stories, laughing, and talking about our joint passion for and commitment to the personal chef industry. I am really pleased to welcome our newest member in the Austin, TX area, and look forward to getting to Austin soon to spend time with all of our members! Welcome! Candy

Hello GG--

Thanks for your kind reply and insight. I think you're completely right about our websites being a kind of "electronic brochure". That's an excellent way of describing what it was I didn't know that I was doing! lol

By the way, you're one of my favorite posters...I always love your mix of philosophy and history that you write into your postings and replies. I read the hallibut thread like it was a novel! I also love your company name--I immediately pictured a chef with a holster on their hip with a nice stainless steel whisk quivering inside ready for action!

Yes, Candy and I did squander the better part of an hour laughing like hyenas about our dogs, the industry, chatting about travel and passions and life...oh, and personal cheffing! ;-)
Well, she sold me like I knew she would and I ended up purchasing the training materials which should be here tomorrrow. I told her we were in a little bit of a pinch financially but I felt that it was the right time to go for it...I then hung up the phone having thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and generally feeling great about the whole deal when I decided to sit down and see how my doughnut company stock was doing. I'm telling you all this because it's eeery--it jumped 14 points that day! Well, I sold my shares this morning making enough profit to pay for nearly all of Option A! See, it was just meant to be!

Thanks for the welcome...I plan on introducing myself to the member forum sometime this weekend and look forward to talking to everybody about everything!

Take Care,

Michelle Yelvington
Home for Dinner
Austin, Texas

Careful with that "quivering whisk image" -- I've already had a couple of e-mail inquiries about services that I wouldn't consider within personal cheffing. (personal, but not cheffing, if you catch my drift!)

See ya inside....

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Meredith
Whisk For Hire
Kensington, MD

It's pretty sad when you're the author of a blantant phallic reference and it just goes right over your...er, nevermind. It's still my favorite PC name, but believe me, now I'll never think of it the same way again, lol!

Michelle

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Home for Dinner Personal Chef Service
Austin, Texas
http://members.xoom.com/home4dinner/

You're sorry?!

My utensil crocks will never look quite the same to me again...

ROFLMAO!

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Meredith
Whisk For Hire
Kensington, MD