Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jonathan Kinney, Co-Owner of The Northwest Method, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an online cooking school with a twist. We're presenting people with more than just a series of recipes and sending them on their way. Our motto is: "We'll take your mind and hands to places they've never gone before. Not just by showing you how to cook. But by teaching you how to LEARN how to cook."
Tell us about yourself
I am one of many instructors/co-owners at our brick-and-mortar school, Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver. Our founder decided in February 2020 (even before the pandemic was in full swing) that we should have an entire library of our technique videos.
When they were fully locked down, starting in March, we kicked that up a notch, starting to think, initially, about how we could provide this type of education to professional students online. And then after, seeing how we could reach out to the home cook.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Pivoting. For a school that has had a brick-and-mortar presence in Vancouver since 2004 and has graduated so many successful chefs, to move toward not only dedicating ourselves to the home cook but doing it online has been tremendous. Teaching ourselves the art of videography, editing, podcasting, etc., has been HUGE!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
We are chefs and teachers. We're not tech people. So, not only have we had to teach ourselves dozens of different types of software, we've had to depend on so many other people for help with marketing, online advertising, website development, etc.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Believe in what you're good at and focus on that.
- Be prepared to learn new things - you're going to become an expert in many new areas.
- Work with great people.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thenorthwestmethod.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenorthwestmethod/
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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