Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matthew Paille, Chef-Owner of Epicurean Escape Catering, located in Santa Rosa, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Catering in Sonoma County to a wide variety of folks from the food adventurers to the mom and pop barbecues. We put our creative spin on international classics, take a trip around the world one bite at a time!
Tell us about yourself
I started cooking at the young age of 13 as a fry cook in a local steakhouse. I didn't know that I was going to stick with it but having caught the travel bug and love of food early, it seemed like a clear path, as I could cook and eat my way around the world. Cooking can be a meditative practice, calming and intuitive. I love seeing the smiles on people's faces during and after an event.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being fortunate enough to help out our community members in times of need. These last few years of fires come to mind, feeding first responders on the front lines, donating thousands of meals, and handing them out while fires blaze a few meters behind us.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
COVID has brought its own sets of challenges. We've needed to change and adapt our policies and revenue streams in order to survive. Always pivoting is important in catering and of utmost importance in the last couple of years.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Look to your top role models in the industry that you choose and see if you can buy them a cup of coffee and see if you can get some hints as to what got them to where they are at.
- Work in the industry for six months minimum before deciding to go feet first into a new business. Spend someone else's money learning and verifying your passion on a dream that is not properly executed can quickly become a nightmare.
- Stay up to date with trends, constantly read books with your industry and try to stay ahead of the curve of your competition.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.epicureanescape.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epicureanescape
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicureanescape/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.