Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Lease, owner of ChefGirl Nutrition, LLC, located in Broomfield, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
ChefGirl Nutrition is a nutrition-focused cooking education business that was built to bridge the gap between nutrition education and application. In my varied experiences as a Registered Dietitian, one commonality would always come up with patients or clients: how do I turn information into action? This prompted me to package together my passions for teaching, nutrition science, and cooking, and that's what built the foundation for my business. ChefGirl Nutrition offers virtual and in-person cooking classes, demonstrations, and workshops for individuals and groups to build confidence in the kitchen to support their health and wellness goals.
We serve two primary groups with our programs. The first is those living with Pre-diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, or overall looking to prevent this chronic disease. The second is anyone looking to gain a better understanding of how to optimize meals for balanced nutrition and how to apply that to real life. Cooking can really be a tool to support health in the same way that someone might view exercise – it is a habit we can build, given the right tools and strategies to make it doable for real life.
Tell us about yourself
I've always had a passion for teaching and an empathetic, listening ear. I also grew up in a family that loves food, and I learned to love food and to cook from a young age. I never saw it as a career, never mind my own business, but through many different experiences, I was ultimately able to connect all of those dots together, and I'm so grateful for that.
In my years as a Registered Dietitian, I've worked with many different populations in varied settings. These roles include a clinical inpatient setting, community and food access spaces, corporate wellness initiatives, and private practice with more personalized nutrition consultation work. There are so many areas of work and opportunities to specialize in nutrition, and you truly learn the most through application in those different settings versus what you learn in the classroom. I think this applies to any field, and my recommendation is to dip your toes into varied opportunities and experiences to really explore where your passion and drive for the work lies – you may be surprised! All of my experiences have ultimately shaped ChefGirl Nutrition into what it is today – there have been many iterations of this business, and I'm sure more to come. The openness to shift and adjust to what my clients need or to tackle the newest nutrition misinformation out there is what keeps business exciting and keeps me engaged every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishments are actually my clients' biggest accomplishments! Through my business services, I've helped people lower their A1c levels, lowering their risk of Diabetes. I've helped people build sustainable habits in the kitchen so they can ditch fad diets and have a healthier relationship with food. I've taught people the shortcuts in the kitchen that make cooking easier. These wins keep me motivated and moving forward every day.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying the course, keeping blinders on, and just consistently taking action to keep moving forward. Especially when you're a solopreneur, which many of us are when starting out, it can feel lonely at times, and it can be easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to other entrepreneurs, especially those in your field. Take note of what gets in your way and set boundaries. I know for me, that was social media, particularly Instagram, so I had to set boundaries on my time spent in those spaces.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get comfortable being uncomfortable! This is truly something that comes with being a business owner. You make yourself vulnerable by putting things out into the world, offering your services, building new relationships, and networking. A lot of the work you do as a business owner will probably take you outside your comfort zone, and that's usually where growth and success live.
- Be open to different experiences and opportunities. I'd been drawn toward teaching and thought I'd be an elementary school teacher from the time I was about seven years old until I started studying that in college. The takeaway is to stay open to possibilities and pathways you never expected. You learn so much more about yourself the more your experience is, and it's important not to lock yourself into one box. Know that it's ok to pivot and be open to it!
- Build and nurture a support network of people you can really trust, both personal and professional contacts. Entrepreneurship can be hard, especially when starting out if you're going solo. Having a shoulder to lean on, a good listening ear, and someone who can relate or provide mentorship. These are all such valuable relationships to have in your corner.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.chefgirlnutrition.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefgirlnutrition
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefgirl_nutrition/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChefGirlJen_RD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefgirlnutrition/
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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