Monday, January 23, 2012

Business Idea

It's no secret that I love to cook and I love to share my passion for food with others {hence half of my blog posts revolving around food}.  The husband and I have been talking about ways I can contribute more to our family financially without cutting into my social life {because that is important} and our travel desires{a full time job isn't going to allow me to take 30 days off for a wedding in June and 45 days off for 2 weddings in Aug/Sept plus additional time off for leisure travel}.  I think we may have found a solution.  My husband has been telling me for years now that I should teach cooking lessons to new wives.  Living in Japan, this idea presents interesting new possibilities. There are quite a few soldiers who marry local Japanese girls who aren't used to cooking, or even eating, foods that we as Americans consider staples. I know if I married a Japanese man I would have NO CLUE how to cook the foods he grew up eating and would jump at the opportunity to have someone teach me.  I am thinking about offering classes in classic "American" comfort food: pot roast, lasagna, chocolate chip cookies, meatloaf, chicken & dumplings, chili, apple pie, beef stew, fried chicken, etc. and potentially taking requests from husbands =}


GAH!  I can't believe I'm actually thinking about starting a "business"!  Before I go any further, I'd like some input from my fabulous readers.  I have questions.

Knowing that I have no formal training as a chef {yet...I'm seriously considering culinary school after our time in Japan}...

1}Would you be interested in taking a class like this as an American who just doesn't know a thing about cooking?

2}Would you be interested in taking a class like this if you had married someone from a different culture?

3}How much would you be willing to pay for this class?

4}Would you prefer one on one classes or small {3-4 students} group classes?

5}Have you ever started a business while living on a military base? {I welcome ANY and ALL advice, I'm sure there is going to be a lot of paperwork involved}

6} AM I CRAZY?!?!?!

As of right now, this is still in the brainstorming {out loud} stage.  I may realize there really isn't a market for it or it just isn't worth the effort to get it all started {legally} and toss the whole idea out the window.  For now I'm just collecting ideas and asking you lovelies for your thoughts!  Any words of wisdom, thoughts, comments or questions are welcome and appreciated!




And because I don't like blogging with out at least one photo, check out this gorgeous Turkish pottery I picked up today


the kind man that was selling this pottery at Yokota AFB today said he'd be making a stop at CZ in a few weeks...I'll be saving my pennies yen to buy some more when he gets here!

6 comments:

Kara said...

I think this is a great idea! If I married a Japanese man, I would have no clue where to even start. Just learning how to make basic meals authentically would be wonderful! I know they have classes here for Japanese spouses to teach them certain things they need to know about living in the States, but food is not covered. I have no idea on price, but I would do something like this with a friend or two. It would be more fun than one on one I think. Good luck!

Heather said...

I think it is a GREAT idea. And I think a lot of Japanese spouses would love the opportunity to learn to cook "American" foods.

I would make a visit to the housing office and legal to find out the necessary steps to take. You may need to take a food handlers course since you will be working with food. I sold Pampered Chef while we were in Okinawa and I had to get a license. I did that process through the housing office. Basically I just filled out a form, had my husbands commander sign it, and then wait for them to approve it.

Good luck!!

P.S. I think I would rather have a small group. But you could offer both and charge a little more for private cooking lessons.

Jamie said...

What a great idea. Sounds like something that would go over quite well.

Radiant Readhead said...

I think this is a fabulous idea! I would definitely pay for a class like that! i prefer the groups, b/c then you get to know people and have fun as well, plus you have a potential to make more int he 1-2 hours than w/ just one client (for instance, charge $30 for 4 people as opposed to $75 for 1..at least that is what I think i would be willing to pay.) you could even do a "series" fee. Like 5 classes for $120 or something:-) This is so exciting! Starting a business is hard! I just became a SAHM and am focusing on expanding my photography business. It takes alot of work to market, and get yourself established, but i have faith for me, and for you as well, that with a little hard work, it will be a success!

Chantal said...

Great idea! Good luck!

JG said...

What a fantastic idea! I would definitely want to take that class. I like Radiant Redhead's ideas as far as pricing, and I'll join the chorus and say I'd prefer a group setting, a small group, with plenty of hands-on participation. I think there's more pressure one-on-one, if that makes sense. Good luck! I think that's great!