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Personal Chef Industry

Would it be worth while joining APCA and not go to a live seminar? The reason I ask is that the seminar scheduled for October in New Jersey is the closest for me (Connecticut)but, my schedule will not allow me to attend. When is the next seminar in my area. Thanks.

Mike

You could join now and take the seminar later -- or not at all. Don't get me wrong -- the seminar is an excellent way to get your business jumpstarted, fast! And may be essential if you're the kind of person who needs in person instruction.

But many of us got our businesses up and running successfully without being able to attend one of the seminars. Personally, as queen of the short attention span, I can't stand classroom instruction -- I've lost the ability to sit down for hours!

The videos are another option for you if you want more than the written materials.

Hopefully Jim Davis, who does the East Coast Seminars will be able to give you the next scheduled date for up there. (Hey, fellow nutmegger, I'm from Durham, CT)

In the meantime, though, you could join, get the materials and start hashing out business plans and marketing materials.

Goldengoose

I live in wallyworld. How is business in our area?

Mike

Mike - the proof seems to be in the pudding. The folks that take the seminar or use the videos seem to get their businesses up and running faster. It must be the intensity of the live seminars. It propells you forward faster.

The next seminar in your area will not be before late spring...and it has not been booked yet. The November and January Seminars will be in Gaithersburg, MD (metro DC). If you just can't make the NJ seminar, then you might shoot for one of those. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call anytime.

Well, I'm in Maryland now, but my folks are still up there. It's about a six hour drive from where you are to Gaithersburg, MD if you can make either of the other two seminars and if you time it right and have EZ-Pass, it's not a bad drive. Make a long weekend of it and see some of the sights in DC.

We don't have a local chapter yet in CT, but there are other APCA members who could give you a read on business. Looking at how the housing prices have gone up in Durham and the proliferation of other services for time-stressed people, I think you've got a good market there!

Meredith is right, do not wait in becoming a member just to attend a seminar. Yes, you could always attend a seminar later.

I became a member in July 2000, & finally attended a seminar in March of 2001. At that time I had already had a few clients, but attending the seminar (even with my a.d.d. that tends to get in the way), I managed to get some very valuable information & if nothing else, a seminar will put that "fire underneath you". Jump on in, the water's fine!

Mike, I am a new PC and here was my timeline of events.

August 8 -- Decided to really become a personal chef

August 11 -- Joined APCA

Rest of the month, paperwork, liability insurance, menu development, write brochures, write/design website

September 6 -- Launch business at local business fair

Sept 20-21 -- Attend seminar

Sept 26 Cook for first client

rest of the month -- Follow up on seminar, join business groups, pitch groups, distribute flyer, ask to write local food column (and get it), Network

October -- Cook Cook Cook

Today -- Break even on my business investment!

So, I recommend the seminar!