Gearing Up for the Summer!

I'm so excited about the direction of my business - it seems to be going up, uP, UP!!

First of all, I brought a business development manager on board.  Gene is an old college friend with an entrepreneurial spirit and a nice personality.  He is anxious to grow my business for me, and I'm happy to have him handling that part of the business.  It allows me to concentrate on other facets of Kathy's Just Desserts and Kitchen Wizards.

We've been meeting with various local schools and starting programs at many of them.  We've also made inroads with many Parks & Rec Departments, and now we have programs at many more locations.

Next, I had to find some instructors.  I'm thrilled that Wendi, after having her adorable little baby Charlotte, has come back with all the happiness and energy she had when working for me before the baby! 

I've also been pleased to have several other instructors come on board. 

Mare is a substitute teacher - and she's been experimenting with cooking for several years.  I think the "bug" has gotten her, and she's loving the culinary arts. 

Shannon is starting her own cake business - and her work is amazing!  She loves kids and is looking forward to teaching cooking and baking programs. 

Micki is my godchild, my oldest friend's daughter.  She's an actress, and for four years, she's been teaching DramaKids programs.  Since she and her husband have been together, much to her mom's delight, she has become quite the cook.  With her experience and enthusiasm, I know she'll be a great addition. 

And, Ashley is Gene's daughter.  She's a really great young woman who is really excited to take on this new challenge.  She has been getting into cooking, and she loves being around kids.  So, she's going to be a great asset!

In fact, all of my instructors are just the nicest people you'd want to meet - and I trust my programs in their hands.  It's nice to have that kind of confidence in people who are representing my business.  That has not come easily for me, and I know I'm lucky to have found such great instructors!

Next step for Kitchen Wizards?  We're expanding even more!  So, if you know of any locations in the Philadelphia suburbs and South Jersey (including shore points) that might want to host cooking programs - either after-school, weekends, or summer cooking camps, please have them contact us:

Gene Basso gene@kathysjustdesserts.com
Kathy Wolper kw@kathysjustdesserts.com

And, if you know of anyone who wants a job as a culinary instructor, have them contact us, too. 

Remember us for scout workshops and cooking birthday parties, too! 

It's Really Happening!

I enjoy teaching people to cook and bake.  My education and work experience have been in teaching/training.  I especially love that "Aha!"  moment with kids when they really "get it".  Now, I'd never try to tell you that my culinary programs are rocket science.  As my mom said her mom told her, "If you can read, you can cook!"  But, there's something so rewarding about sharing the preparation of a meal with others.  

So, for almost ten years, I've been bouncing along, baking cakes and cookies, making candy, and teaching cooking programs.  Loving it, but realizing that I can't reach as many as I'd like.  Several years ago, I started thinking about expanding my business.  But, just like an overprotective parent, I was hesitant to allow someone else to teach my programs.  You can say many things about me, but I rarely make rash decisions.  I think things through from every angle, figure out how to handle any challenge, think some more, figure some more, and finally begin to unfold my plan.

After a few years, I finally started the process of getting the financing I needed to expand.  It took another year to GET the financing.  I began to interview candidates who responded to my ad for "teachers who love to cook, looking for part-time/summer work".  It amazed me to find out that there were so many qualified candidates!  I could've asked many of them to join us - but I don't have enough work for them (yet). 

Today, our first camps began - at Steve's Sew & Vac in King of Prussia.  They have a wonderful Miele demo kitchen in the center of the store.  Cooking there feels like you died and went to kitchen heaven!  It's bee-you-tee-ful!  I went there to assist.  Honestly, I wondered how I would feel, not being "in charge".  Well, I didn't have to worry - my instructor Wendi did such a superb job today!  I also had Michele along - she's doing an internship with me.  She was a great help, too.  Both of them said how much they enjoyed it.  Wendi's excited to be on her own.  I've never had children, but I suppose this is how parents feel when their children take off the training wheels, or learn to drive, or go off to college. 

So, tomorrow, I won't have to rush out the door to teach the camp - although I WILL stop in to see if Wendi needs any help - but I will have a camp running without me, while I'm drumming up even more business.

Next week, Steph will be teaching a camp.  I know she'll do a great job, too!  And, I can't forget to mention Shawn, who is taking on a lot of one-day programs at various locations this summer.  She's also on reserve as a sub.

It always amazes me when folks think what I do is cool.  It is - I've always thought so.  But, I have come to realize that it's a really good idea, and I'm very proud of that.  I'm happy that going with my gut feeling has helped me along the way.  My instructors are willing to come along for the ride, eager to work with me, anxious to see my business grow.  THAT makes me smile!  I feel very blessed to have found something I love to do - and a way to earn a living doing that.  :-)