Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food service but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary Heitmeyer, Owner of Chef DuJour Personal Chef Services, located in Redondo Beach, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Chef DuJour is a gourmet personal chef service specializing in custom health menus. Catering is also available. My customers are everyday people, professional athletes, private travel clubs, and anyone who needs more time to live their life with healthy, tasty meals at their fingertips.
Tell us about yourself
I started over 22+ years ago. I love to cook, always have. At that time, the personal chef industry was the fastest growing business in America. So I went for it, and lo and behold, it stuck.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Starting two businesses with no background in either. Chef DuJour and Healthy U TV Show, which aired for six seasons. A show about health, beauty, fitness, and living green. On HUTV, we transformed someone each season (health, diet, exercise, style, and self-love) - the reveal at the end of each season was always my favorite. To see these beautiful, very busy, put themselves first and transform into butterflies always touched my heart.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Starting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Trust yourself; don't let others tell you what you can and can't do.
- Pick your colors, logo, and business plan, and stick to them.
- Always treat every customer as if they are your only customer, and be very responsive to their needs. God gave us two ears and one mouth, do lots of listening.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
You can do anything you put your mind to. Always know that a success and a mistake are both learning opportunities. So don't pat yourself on the back or think badly of yourself. You can choose your destiny, just take a deep breath and jump and when it clicks, mentor others and share the knowledge that you've been blessed with.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://chefdujour.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.heitmeyer.3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heitmeyermary/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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