10 mistakes I made at the start of my personal chef career
When I first started as a personal chef, I had no mentor. I didn't know anyone else who was a personal chef and I couldn't find any firm answers online. I had to figure it all out on my own. Obviously, I made a ton of cringe worthy mistakes. I'd love to share them with you so you don't repeat them.
#1 Charging by the hour
For my very first client, I charged $25 an hour. I soon became more efficient and...wait, I'm still getting paid $25 an hour. I was thinking like an employee and not a business owner. Employees are paid by the hour and now I was a business owner.
After much study, I learned that personal chefs are not paid by the hour. They do not price their services like restaurant chefs either, since food costs are not calculated as part of the meal. More about pricing, click here.
#2 Accepting anyone and everyone as a client
Not everyone is a good fit for your business. You have to take into account whether you can accommodate...
Overcome fear of judgment and start your personal chef business
Fear of judgment is linked to the desire to be liked by all at all times. Obviously being liked by all is impossible, but the fear could still stop some from performing in new life experiences or expressing their true selves.
When someone makes a judgment about you, chances are that moments or days later, that judgment will leave their conscious awareness, but may still linger within you. We’ve all been affected at some point in our lives by something someone else said about us. Words can be hurtful and leave us feeling powerless and vulnerable.
In time, negative words and perceptions from others could begin shaping beliefs about ourselves. This can lead to fear of judgment by others and affect our ability to take risks and enjoy new life experiences.
The secret to overcoming fear of judgment is to get comfortable with your strengths and weaknesses. We're all good at some aspects of life, terrible at others.
If you're aware of...
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.
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Personal Chef Mentor
Virginia Stockwell
Virginia Stockwell is a personal chef business mentor from California, now living in Virginia (yes, Virginia in Virginia). 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.
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.