Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Claire Sanders, COO of The Kids' Table, located in Chicago, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Kids' Table is a business that offers both in-person & virtual hands-on cooking classes for children ages 2-14. In addition to our classes, we host birthday parties, private classes, field trips, and summer camps and provide after-school programming to schools around Chicago!
Tell us about yourself
As a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, I knew that I was meant to do something that fulfilled more than just my passion for cooking. I wanted to share that passion with others. The next generation of young chefs is what motivated me to do what I do. Watching them learn new life skills, grow their independence, and master new recipes while working as a team is truly a special process to be part of. I love that we reach a broad range of children both in age as well as their location throughout the United States. Expanding our business to virtual as well as in-person has opened up many cool avenues for us to reach a larger audience and cook with more little ones that are outside of the Chicagoland area.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Elena Marre, the business owner, has accomplished a lot for The Kids' Table since it first opened its doors in 2007. She has maintained one storefront for the duration of her time, has partnered with schools and organizations across Chicago, opened up a second location, adapted to the changing times, and thrived during a pandemic that took many other businesses down with it. That being said, I think her biggest accomplishment is that she sticks true to the values she set out with when opening a small business. She never cuts corners or makes exceptions to things when it comes to the food philosophy of the business or how we treat our staff, and that truly is a noteworthy accomplishment in my book.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As I begin to take over day-to-day operations in full, and Elena is able to take a much-needed step back from her responsibilities at The Kids' Table, I think one of the hardest things that comes with this role is adaptation. Changing to meet the needs of the families, schools, and programs we serve. After all, our goal is to show kids that cooking is fun and empowering and that real food is really good!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kids-table.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekidstablechicago
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidstable/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire--sanders/
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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