We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Josh Bakken. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Josh below.

Josh, appreciate you joining us today. Do you manage your own social media?

Initially, we managed our own social media and website, but we struggled to dedicate enough time to it, and when we did, the engagement was minimal. Then, Rob Gray from Level Nine Media, based in Texas, reached out to us. He presented a clear plan on how he could help us as a fellow small business, even showing us how our numbers could improve. After reviewing the impressive results he had achieved for other businesses, we decided to take the leap and hire him.

Rob completely overhauled our website and took over our social media management. The impact was immediate—within the first month, our website traffic surged by over 900%, and our social media metrics saw similar growth. Our phones haven’t stopped ringing, and the emails keep coming in. We couldn’t be more grateful for Rob and Level Nine Media; they transformed our business and played a crucial role in our success today.

My advice to other small business owners: go for it. Take the leap, and if you’re not getting the leads you need, seek help. You don’t have to do it alone.

Josh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey into cooking began when I moved to Arizona and enrolled at EVIT, where my passion for the culinary arts truly took root. After high school, I continued to hone my skills in kitchens, learning under some of the most esteemed and well-known chefs in the industry. While working, I put myself through college and earned Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Software Engineering, Culinary Arts, and Business Management.

Despite receiving lucrative IT job offers, including one from Facebook, I turned them down because my passion for cooking far outweighed my interest in IT. Recognizing the growing demand for catering services that accommodate allergies and special diets, I saw an opportunity to further specialize. I returned to school and earned a certificate to become a Certified Nutritionist. This additional qualification has helped us build even more trust with our clients, allowing us to have honest, personalized conversations and connect with them on a deeper level.

At The Local Caterer, we offer more than just catering services—we provide rentals, linens, décor, and more, backed by a substantial list of trusted partners. The main thing I want others to know about us is that we’re not your typical caterer. We go above and beyond to give our clients peace of mind, ensuring every detail is taken care of at the highest level.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

To share the story of how I met my cofounder and business partner, we have to go back to 2007 when I first moved to Arizona with my parents. It was then that I started playing indoor soccer and met my first friend in the area, Kasandra. We stayed close and kept in touch over the years. In 2017, our friendship deepened into something more, and we began dating. Exactly one year later, in 2018, we got married. Kasandra has always been there for me, standing by my side through everything. It was her unwavering support that led me to start our business.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A pivotal moment in my life was when The Local Caterer was born. In March 2020, I was working for one of largest caterers in Arizona when COVID-19 struck, leading the business to close its doors for good. Suddenly, I found myself at a crossroads with no clear path forward, two young children, a wife at home, and a new house we had just moved into. I was prepared to start applying for jobs, but my wife stopped me and said, “No. It’s time to live your dream. Open your own business.” And so, on April 1, 2020, The Local Caterer officially began.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thelocalcaterer.com
• Instagram: @thelocalcaterer
• Facebook: @thelocalcatereraz

Image Credits

Blake Deinas with Deinasty Studios