The Personal Chef Business Plan
Years ago, I found myself combing the internet for hours, perusing various business plans. I was trying to figure out what needs to be included in my own personal chef business plan that I was about to launch. Turns out, it was a total waste of hours that lead to weeks then months of procrastination.
At this point in my career, ten years later, looking back at all that planning, I would call this "analysis paralysis". This is a phrase that describes when overthinking a situation delays ever getting started.
When you find yourself planning and planning and planning, continuing to gather information, then never taking action in getting started what you were planning in the first place, you've fallen into analysis paralysis.
Yes, I fell into the trap of thinking I needed to create a detailed business plan before starting my personal chef business. What tax structure am I going to create? What are my income goals for the year? What is my mission statement?
Wow, looking back, these things are truly unimportant to my first client and do not play a part in the success of cooking for that first client! A detailed business plan is definitely not a requirement to begin a successful personal chef business.
Detailed business plans are for companies looking for funding. Those companies need to draw up comprehensive financial statements and extensive biographies of their work and educational experience so they can obtain small business loans.
As a personal chef, you will not need a business loan to get started. The business plan you create is only for your eyes. Get your simplified business plan here >>
Knowing what I know now, I would sketch up a one-page business plan for myself that looks similar to this:
- Description of the services I plan to offer
- Name of my company and what makes my company special
- Who would be best suited for my services
- Price of my services (more about pricing here >>)
- Marketing techniques I'm going to test out (more about marketing here >>)
No, I wouldn't be planning out a logo. No, I wouldn't come up with a detailed financial summary of how much money I plan on making.
Without real world experience, I wouldn't know if my business concept worked or if I'm targeting the right market!
THE SECRET TO SUCCESS...
If I were to sum up the secret to success of ANY business, it would be taking the plunge before you feel ready.
There's always going to be more research to do. If you're nervous about starting, then it’s tempting to turn preparation into a form of procrastination.
It's natural to be uncomfortable. Starting a new business can feel overwhelming with a fear of failure. The first day at any job is scary. The truth is that if you continue to progress forward, you can't fail. Take that first step before you feel ready. The rest will fall into place.
Give yourself a deadline
Setting yourself up with a deadline to get started is easier said than done. To truly follow through with your start date, you need to tell other people about it so you'll be held accountable. Being held accountable will make you much much more likely to get things done.
Are you ready to get started or progress in your personal chef business? The best time to start was yesterday and the second best time is today. Learn the Fine Details of the Personal Chef Business Here >>
Best Wishes & Much Success to You, Virginia Stockwell
P.S. Reply anytime and I will always answer. I'm a real person!
What is it that you need the most help with and are finally ready to get unstuck and take action on:
10 Things to Do Before Starting Your Personal Chef Business
Ten-Step Actionable Checklist of things to do before investing in this new business so you're prepared when your first paying client comes along.
for Free
Personal Chef Mentor
Virginia Stockwell
Virginia Stockwell is a personal chef business mentor from California, now living in Austin, TX. She's had careers as a chiropractor and Realtor, then finally found her calling as a personal chef. Starting in catering in 2005, she began her personal chef business in 2012, quickly growing to a waiting list of clients thanks to her local marketing expertise. She now empowers home cooks and professional chefs to start their own meal prep and dinner party businesses, creating a life of hours and income they control. She lives the life of a minimalist both personally and professionally, reads cookbooks like novels, and is locally famous for her taco and margarita parties (check out "A Taco Walks into a Bar" on Amazon).
How to Price Your Personal Chef Services
Personal Chefs do not charge by the hour. They also do not calculate food costs like restaurant chefs.
This is a self-paced course you can begin immediately.
$94 >>
Business Plan for Personal Chef Services
Design a custom plan with the help of prompts so that you know where you’re going and what you need to do next...
Because a goal without a plan is just a wish.
Lead Generating Website
How-To
How-To
Anyone can create a website, but it takes know-how to design a lead generating website. You'll learn how to capture leads while you sleep, what to include on each web page, and common mistakes personal chefs make on their websites. Give potential clients a five-star first impression of your company by showing off your culinary skills in a benefit-driven style.
This course is included when purchasing the all-inclusive personal chef business program above.
Bookkeeping
for Personal Chefs
for Personal Chefs
Lesson 1 - Bookkeeping 101
Lesson 2 - The IRS & You
Lesson 3 - What's Tax Deductible
Lesson 4 - Record Keeping
This course is included when purchasing the all-inclusive personal chef business program above.
Chef-Client Contract
Customized to Your Business
Customized to Your Business
Without this important document, there are too many "what ifs" that could lead to lost money. You'll walk away with customized contracts for both meal prep and events to fit your personal chef business model.
This course is included when purchasing the all-inclusive personal chef business program above.
101 Marketing Tactics to Attract New Clients
You know all there is about cooking and pricing your services. The only struggle you have now is bringing new leads into your business. You'll receive 101 action oriented marketing tactics that you can begin implementing today. Find what's working best for you and do more of it. Marketing tactics for both introverts and outgoing personalities are included. Start implementing the tactics today.
All-Inclusive Program
PERSONAL CHEF
BUSINESS PROGRAM
All-Inclusive Program
BUSINESS PROGRAM
Go from "I don't know where to begin" to running a profitable personal chef business so you have control over your own hours and income.
Modules Included:
1 - Define Your Competitive Advantage
2 - Determine Pricing
3 - Meal Prep 101
4 - Dinner Party 101
5 - Become Legal & Insured
6 - Create a Lead Generating Website
7 - Craft a Marketing Plan
8 - Test Various Marketing Strategies
9 - Bookkeeping
10 - Social Media
10 Things to Do Before Starting Your Personal Chef Business
Ten-Step Actionable Checklist of things to do before investing in this new business so you're prepared when your first paying client comes along.
for Free