The best Business Plan for me, was no plan at all!
I had the pleasure this past weekend to participate in the Wellness Business Summit. I was so honoured that Lori Kennedy asked me to come and speak in front of a group of health enthusiasts that are looking to start their careers in the wellness sector. I couldn’t be more excited to get up in front of a group and share what I think was the key to my success and what has driven me for the last 8 years to get my business on it’s feet – and that has been none other than Passion for Cooking Classes and my desire to help everyone eat healthier and live healthier.
My Passion for Cooking Classes
If you didn’t get the chance to be there in person, or experience the full presentation, I am going to summarize what I talked about and share how I have created a business, a studio and a life that I am proud of. Yes it’s been – and still is – a lot of hard work, but it’s oh so rewarding because the only person at the end of the day that created what I did, was me! Passion and Cooking are totally related!
I had NO BUSINESS PLAN and NO AGENDA – when I started my business. I just started!
OUT of ORDER stages of my business
1. Started teaching in my parents kitchen
2. I created a blog to share my classes, recipes and tips
3. Attended my first trade show, the show was great for me to get exposure, meet people and get my brand out there
4. Built my own website on my Mac. It was limiting but it made things a bit more real and legitimate
5. Got myself a brand, a logo and a business coach
6. Opened a business account
The somewhat IN ORDER steps to my business
1. Had a real website made (one that took payments).
2. Stepped out into the community, met people, engaged and shared my passion and vision.
3. Participated in speaking events and cooking demonstrations.
4. Got two book deals with Wiley: Fermenting for Dummies and Plant Based Diet For Dummies
5. Opened up Marni Wasserman’s Food Studio and Lifestyle Shop
The Importance of creating a Team
- You can’t do it alone
- Bring on part time staff, if you can, when you can
- Create full time and part time positions
- Provide opportunities for internships
- Find people that are aligned with your vision and passion
Build Communities: Online and Offline
- Social media (find the best platforms for your business)
- Newsletter
- Reach out to your fans and followers with updates, tips, information
- Blog
- Create content for people that’s relevant and insightful
- Sell something that makes sense to you (create a product)
- Ebooks or Meal Plans
The Art of Networking
- Meet with people face to face
- Align with companies that complement what you do
- Send emails, make phone calls
- Work together, collaborate
- Make connections with like minded brands
4 Things to know about creating a Brick and Mortar Business
- Location – choosing the right space for your brand. Pound the pavement and consider the clientele, traffic, noises etc.
- Overhead – find creative ways to pay for your space! Your monthly bills will add up!
- Connect – with your local community/neighbourhood. Get to know the businesses and people in area.
- You are your best employee (tweetable @marniwasserman) – you unlock/lock the door. This is your space so make it special and keep it clean and make it yours!
Although my passion has created the platform for what I now call my business. I just want you to know there has been a lot of sleepless nights, many tears and many thoughts of giving up. It’s been hard, but I keep pushing because I know that what I am offering is unique, it is special and it is different. My goal is to better the lives and the health of the people around me. Spread my passion like wildfire and show people just how easy it is to live well and eat well. I don’t know where this passion will lead, as you can see – I have always gone with the flow so there is no reason why this trend won’t continue. What I have created today may be something totally different tomorrow and that is okay!
