how do i start my own home business, teaching cooking?

Question

I have great culinary knowledge and I am going to school for food service management. I can't find a good job because I need a lot of flexibility right now while i'm in school. So I am thinking of starting my own business out of home by appointment only. This business would include me meeting with the client to show examples of food menus and meals with prices, teaching (at the client's home, in their kitchen) how to cook certain meals, possibly cooking meals for clients at their homes for small dinner parties or for their family. I already have a servesafe certificate, am a certified food handler in Los Angeles County where I will be working. What business licenses would i have to get and what else would i have to do to get this thing started?

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* How to Start a Home-Based Personal Chef Business by Denise Vivaldo
* Become A Personal Chef 2004: An Introduction To The Industry by Brian T. Koning
* How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 4th by Denise Vivaldo

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck.

Some things you need to consider:
- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?"
- "What are my abilities?"
- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?"
- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?"

You may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch... , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:

1. Provide a benefit.
2. Determine the fit with your market.
3. Right timing is everything
4. Be ready to support your business
5. Develop a blueprint for success (write your business plan)
6. Gather your resources
7. Market, market, market

There is so much to learn about starting a business that it is hard to put everything here. I suggest that you to check out the following websites and learn from their content:

Entrepreneur http://www.entrepreneur.com
Inc.com http://www.inc.com
SBA http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/...
PowerHomeBiz.com http://www.powerhomebiz.com

As for financing your business, here's a general guide on where to get finance your business "How to Raise Money to Start a Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol8/howtora...

I recommend that you read the following books:

- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs
- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money
- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More
- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur
- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed

With regards to business ideas, the best business will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs.

The key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.

Dan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:

1. List 5 things you do best
2. List how others would benefit from what you do best
3. Find out how to give people what they want
4. Learn the value of your services to others
5. Find out who else offers similar services
6. Learn from the successes of others
7. Learn from the failures of others
8. Plan your own success
9. Make low cost mistakes
10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it

He then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:

Best Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills
- antique restoration
- auto detail service
- carpet cleaning business
- errand/delivery service
- housecleaning business

Best Service Businesses
- bed and breakfast operator
- caregiver
- catering service
- senior day care center
- tutoring service

Best Professional Businesses
- desktop publisher
- magazine writer
- import/export service
- income tax preparation service
- event planner

Some other home business ideas:

Top 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breake...
10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout....
Low Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusin...