I used to freelance cook as my main hustle. Here’s some helpful lessons I learned from the best personal chefs out there on how to run an online business.
Before the global coronavirus pandemic, I used to cook weekly meal prep for clients in their own homes. This was a time in my life where I was living out of a vehicle and healing from severe health problems. Conventional kitchen work did not fit into my life and I could not sustain a normal job. Being able to get paid under the table while helping to empower individuals to eat healthier and from home more was a meaningful hustle. And when I would cook with my clients, it was very satisfying to see them develop their own confidence to make their own meals and become better in the kitchen. Most of my clients had specific dietary restrictions due to health concerns, ethical considerations, or autoimmune conditions. It was a nice niche where great relationships could be built around a mutual interest in cooking and food. My primary focus was to serve their needs and be a client-centered business.
During this phase of my life, I immersed myself in podcasts on the Chefpreneur movement, primarily following Chef Evelyn and Chef Andres Hinajosa. Their visionary insights shed light on how chefs and culinary professionals can successfully launch and manage their own businesses. They advocated for a robust online community to strengthen the industry of personal and private chef products and services.
A generous family member had bought me one of Chef Evelyn’s online courses, which, to my knowledge, is no longer available on search engines. This course unveiled a “secret sauce” formula for diversifying income streams within a chef’s business. It revolutionized my perspective not only on food and cooking-related ventures but also on web-based business models, such as graphic design. Out of respect for Chef Evelyn, I will refrain from disclosing the secret formula here. But this post is largely inspired by that formula.
I’d like to share five essential tips for those seeking to establish a successful online business. These tips work for any type of business, not just food-centered businesses..
Tip #6 – Designing for everyone is designing for no one. Define your target clients..
When starting an online business, defining your target clients and customer demographics is crucial. Specificity allows you to tailor offerings, marketing, and business strategy to effectively reach and engage your ideal audience. Targeting a specific market increases efficiency, enhances relevance, differentiates your business, and improves customer experience. To define your target audience, identify common characteristics, create customer personas, conduct market research, and monitor customer data.
By focusing resources and efforts on the right audience, you can create personalized and tailored experiences that resonate with their needs and preferences. This not only increases customer satisfaction and loyalty but also sets your business apart from competitors, positioning it as the go-to solution for a specific need. Specificity in target clients and customer demographics is a fundamental step in building a solid foundation for your online business and driving its growth and success.
Tip #5 – There is power, money, and opportunity in staying organized
In the realm of online business, organization is paramount. Maintaining a structured and efficient system allows you to provide exceptional service to your customers while streamlining your operations. Some ways to do this is:
- Utilizing templates as often as possible
- Having a dedicated Document Management System (DMS)
- Automating repetitive tasks, like email auto-responses, invoice and payment processes, and social media post scheduling.
- Avoid clutter in your business affairs, as this may lead to inefficiency and broken focus.
- Have a good note taking software installed on your computer and use it religiously.
That all sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It can be if you are doing it manually by hand. But if you have a website through WordPress or CPanel, there are countless plug-ins that will make life so much easier.
If you are someone who struggles with organization, it may be helpful to meet with a friend, family member, or professional regularly (even an hour a week!) to work on organizational strategies for success.
Tip #4 – Tailor your offerings around your life, abilities, and schedule
I used to stress about offering things for money I wasn’t actually comfortable offering, like weekly meal deliveries. This meant I needed to coordinate food storage, kitchen sanitation and use, and my own time in ways that I didn’t need to when I was doing in-home services.
When it comes to setting up an online business, one of the key principles to remember is that you can tailor your offerings around your own life, abilities, and schedule. This means creating a business that fits your unique circumstances and allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
This allows you to be more authentic and genuine in your interactions with customers. When you’re working in a way that feels natural and comfortable for you, you’ll be able to connect with your customers on a deeper level and build stronger relationships. You aren’t signing yourself up or agreeing to do things you don’t actually want to do. Setting realistic expectations will keep you from burning yourself out. Focus on your strengths and putting out offerings that are sustainable in the long term. The freedom and flexibility from this is 👍.
Tip #3 – Build Partnerships with Peer Businesses
“If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, travel together..”
-African Proverb
In the context of businesses, the proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, travel together” emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnerships. By supporting each other through affiliate partnerships and sponsorships, businesses can leverage each other’s strengths, expand their reach, and achieve greater success together.
Affiliate partnerships involve promoting another company’s products or services in exchange for a commission on sales. This can be a mutually beneficial arrangement, as both businesses gain access to new customers and markets. For example, a small business selling kitchenware could partner with a larger retailer to promote its products on their website. The small business would benefit from the increased exposure, while the retailer would earn a commission on each sale.
Sponsorships are another way for businesses to support each other. In a sponsorship arrangement, one business provides financial or other support to another business in exchange for exposure or promotional opportunities. For example, a local restaurant could sponsor a local sports team, providing them with uniforms or equipment in exchange for having their logo displayed on the team’s jerseys or at sporting events. Both businesses would benefit from the increased visibility and brand recognition.
By working together through affiliate partnerships and sponsorships, businesses can pool their resources, share ideas, and create new opportunities for growth. This collaborative approach can help them achieve their goals faster and go further than they could on their own.
Tip #2 – Range of Affordability: Budget to Premium
Your offerings don’t need to be affordable to everyone. It’s okay to offer luxury services. It’s okay to make your services and products accessible to lower incomes. You can have a range of offerings and encompass both. Think about your premium 10,000$ product or service and what it would be. In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses often face the dilemma of whether to focus on affordability or exclusivity. There is a common misconception that catering to a broader audience by offering affordable products and services is the only way to ensure success. However, it is essential to recognize that luxury offerings can also be a viable and profitable strategy.
Offering luxury services and products allows businesses to target a specific niche of high-end consumers who value exclusivity and quality. By creating a sense of prestige and differentiation, businesses can command premium prices and generate substantial revenue. Moreover, providing luxury services can enhance brand reputation, attract high-profile clients, and establish a strong presence in the market.
Furthermore, it is crucial to understand that affordability and luxury are not mutually exclusive concepts. Businesses can strategically position themselves to encompass both ends of the spectrum, offering a range of products and services that cater to different income levels. This approach allows businesses to tap into a broader customer base while maintaining their commitment to quality and exclusivity.
When considering luxury offerings, it is essential to envision what a premium product or service would entail. Think about the materials, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that would set it apart from standard offerings. Consider the unique experiences and personalized services that would elevate the customer’s journey to unparalleled heights.
In conclusion, businesses should not limit themselves to the notion that affordability is the sole determinant of success. Offering luxury services and products can be a lucrative strategy that attracts high-end consumers and enhances brand reputation. By carefully crafting a range of offerings that encompass both affordability and luxury, businesses can effectively cater to a broader customer base while maintaining their commitment to quality and exclusivity.
Tip #1 – Do a good job at what you do, not a great job
What? I shouldn’t do what I do the very best I can?
Nope, kill the inner perfectionist. Fulfill the checklist. Serve well, don’t strive for perfection.
That extra 5% of effort you’re putting in, along with the extra layer of detail, is likely going unnoticed. Take a step back and consider whether it’s worth the time and energy you’re investing.
Seriously. By the magic of paradox, this makes your offerings better. And it will also leave your clients hungry for more.
Bonus Tip: Justify your price without explaining or defending yourself..
It helps to write out a statement justifying your prices. If you get into the weeds over-explaining yourself to a client critical about their invoice, it will open you up to client exploitation over prices. They will talk you down and diminish the worth of your services. You know your worth. Don’t let that happen. Write a simple (but well-crafted with intention) policy statement justifying your pricing and stick to that statement in price disputes. They don’t see the time, the sweat, and tears that went into your craft.
Best of luck, my friend..
Everyone’s path is different. But if you plan on starting, or building an online business, I hope that these lessons I learned can be helpful and provide you with better clarity and confidence. As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Are you ready to make the impossible, possible? Share your biggest online business challenge in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation!
English 
