Jenny Dorsey is a 26-yr-old professional chef, culinary strategist, and entrepreneur based in NYC. She runs her own culinary consulting firm, Jenny Dorsey Culinary Consulting, specializing in business strategy, menu R&D, and experiential engagement. She is also the Co-Founder and Executive Chef of a popular dinner tasting restaurant in NYC named I Forgot It’s Wednesday.
1) How did you get started working from home?
When I launched my consulting business, I started working from home because I was so shy and nervous about putting myself “out there” at a co-working space. Now, I will sometimes go to an office for meetings but love being at home in my PJ’s and dogs!
2) How did you choose the work-at-home career you do?
I’m a professional chef and my last full-time job was leading R&D for a global bakery chain. So it was a natural transition.
3) How did you get started (basic initial steps)?
I put together a mission statement, list of current & potential customers (I was freelancing before I officially incorporated), and put up a website!
4) How did you get your first client or customer or job?
I prospected like crazy. Every job board or potential opportunity I would be all over. I would followup and take every meeting. I would take odd day jobs that eventually landed me bigger consulting work. Everything.
5) How do you market your business?
SEO, prospecting, networking.
6) What does your usual day look like?
I wake up around 9am, eat breakfast, and work for ~2-3 hours, uninterrupted. Then I have 3-4 hours of meetings before I come back home and continue to work until dinner time. I try to take a break in there for some exercise, walk my dog, do some small tasks, and maybe a nap! 1 day a week I set aside for a 1/2 day of creating in the kitchen and a 1/2 day of ceramics work.
7) What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Have a ratecard. Do not negotiate unless you REALLY think it’s the right client. Landing a client is a two-way street. Sometimes you will get stir-crazy. Have a safe place to retreat if you don’t want to be “home” anymore.
8) What advice would you give someone who wants to work from home?
Create a workspace in your home. A wall is preferable, but even just a corner with a desk, monitor, office setup, speakers, the whole thing. You need some sort of division of you’ll start going crazy.
Website : Jenny Dorsey Consulting
Twitter: @jenahface
Facebook: @chefjennydorsey
Instagram: @jenahface
