This has all been helpful, guys, thanks!
A more pointed question now: Would you ever avail yourself of the services of a caterer/personal chef for fancy dinners with your hottie, parties, or just busy weeks when you want something better and more personalized than take out?
if it was affordable and just a local woman i'd totaly be down for it. my boss does this all the time on the side. people eat at the restaurant and just ask for catered parties at their house. it's insane how much people pay. but it does also depend on what type of area you're going to be living if people have the disposable income to do it. and even though creating crazy interesting food ideas are good, sometimes people are just gonna want something really simple and boring, and that's a bummer.
It's good to know it's not crazy for people to do. Simple's not always bad - sometimes just one great ingredient makes chicken amazing. Like last night, I roasted asparagus with great olive oil, salt and pepper, and Donovan couldn't get enough of it! The olive oil was so good, it made the dish. But I'd hope no one would request sloppy joes or crap like that. And so many young couples we know always either go out to eat or order in, so I think I'd have a captive audience of couples. Why not have something specially prepared and delivered to yourself?
When offering services like such.. You should check out the affluence and future of certain neighborhoods.
A quick trip to the chamber of commerce or city hall and you should find what you're looking for.
Or...
Follow the Starbucks effect.
Starbucks spends most of its money on research and development. Researching what? The affluence and future growth of a community.
Thats why are so succesful. They make sure where they build , people can afford a 6 dollar coffee.
So start a business in a town that a Starbucks is opening up!!
Haha - I didn't think about the Starbucks connection, but that's interesting. I've been checking out the median incomes in different places to see which would be good. Thanks!
i definatly would for a party...of i'd say 25 or more. but i think this is something many people would be interested in on a smaller scale.
i hate cooking so i'd def hire you a few nights a week, dinner parties etc. did i mention that i hate cooking?? lol
now that i'm thinking: they totally have a place like this in the i.t.c. you go there and they have tons of delicious dinners prepared every night and you just buy how much you need for your family. i don't know how expensive it is or anything but it's still there from when it opened so it must be doing good.
Yeah, there's a place that does it near me too. It's not my revolutionary idea; it'll just be about my menu and service being better than the local place.
possibly
btw one wedding I shot, i talked with the caterer for quite a bit
she said they just very recently did a dinner for a party of 4
the pres of Commerce Bank, his wife, and 2 guests
party of 4
$1000 per person
I really think it's all about marketing and targeting the right place
if you target the people that don't wanna spend more than $50 on dinner.. that's the people you're gonna get, and they are gonna tell their friends about you, and then you'll be doing 365 $50 dinners a year to make ends meet
or you can target the people to whom $4000 on dinner is a drop in the bucket, and you can work once a month
I completely agree. But the problem is, how do I get to the point where I know people like that? How do I market to that audience?
lol yeah, something i'm still trying to figure out haha
getting involved with a good marketing firm helps
advertising in the right places in your area - you gotta spend money to make money - but yeah it takes a lot of work too just to figure out WHERE to spend your advertising money
oy
it's hard work
Find out about charitable events in your area...
or any prestigious event..
You usually can get lists of attendees from those things..
From there... shoot them a letter.
charitable events meaning... people paying 1000 dollar a plate for 3rd nipple syndrome or something
How would I get a list of attendees?
say you're starting a benefit for hurricane katrina victims and want to find people in your area who have the appropriate amount of money
Or I could just drive down the streets with the largest houses and get names off mailboxes...
Please. You have to pay me 49.99$ for those business secrets.
Ooh! What about payment by cookies?
Me and thatdarngirl can bartend the gigs you get. Yah
Haha - "gigs".