We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kim Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kim below.
Kim, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
In January of 2020, I found myself between jobs and trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grow up. While I was exploring career options and searching for my next opportunity, I found a post on Facebook from a childhood friend. She posted about a new business she was starting. As I looked into what she would be doing, I learned more about Chefs For Seniors.
I couldn’t believe that you could do this as a business! What a fabulous idea! That very day I researched the company and reached out to Nathan and Barrett Allman to learn more about a Chefs For Seniors franchise. I was so impressed with this father and son team, as well as the business model, that I was beyond excited. Next step, could I actually do this and become a business owner (at my age) ,instead of an employee?
As I dove into the possibilities and did more research before making a final decision, well… the world as we knew it changed! Corona Virus, Covid 19, began to take over the country. The pandemic had begun. Now what? Could this even be done now? How could we make it work? I waited it out for a little while, as we all did, trying to understand what this virus was capable of and how we could function during such unprecedented times of uncertainty. Sounds like a perfect time to start a business where you visit Seniors, the most vulnerable population, in their homes and prepare meals in their kitchen. Right? Well, as it turns out, it really was the perfect time!
Seniors needed our help more than ever. They couldn’t or wouldn’t go out, but they also didn’t want anyone to come in. Knowing how difficult the situation was and wanting to help in any way possible, I decided to get things going and figure out how Chefs For Seniors could help the people of the Myrtle Beach Area. So in the middle of a world wide pandemic I decided to start a business.
I believe it was the PERFECT time! As long as I could keep myself healthy and protected, I could do the same for my clients. Our service allowed our clients to have just one point of contact. We did the shopping, delivery, sanitizing, cooking and cleaning to ensure the safety and health of our clients. After all, everyone still needed to eat healthy and nutritious meals.
Though it took a little time and some ingenuity, I purchased the very first franchise of Chefs For Seniors in South Carolina in August, began training, and had my very first client service in October of 2020. It’s now been 2 years and I have 3 chef employees helping me to prepare and share amazing food and companionship with our clients. I could not be more proud of the work we do and the service we provide to the residents of the Myrtle Beach area.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Kim Miller and I am the owner of Chefs For Seniors – Myrtle Beach. I began working in the food industry in my teenage years, which sparked a lifelong passion for food/cooking/feeding family and friends. I had some amazing mentors along the way to help teach me the art of cooking. Though the majority of my career has been in banking, and helping others with their financial needs, I never lost my passion for food and entertaining. I am most comfortable when I am in my kitchen feeding family and friends while making wonderful memories.
Starting Chefs For Seniors has awarded me the opportunity to do what I love, while helping others. You just can’t beat that! My clients become friends and family to me as we spend time together sharing food and stories. There is nothing I would rather be doing! My work life has never been more fulfilling.
Chefs For Seniors is available to anyone of any age. Though Seniors are our target market, we welcome the opportunity to cook for anyone who would like delicious, nutritious, customized meals, prepared in their own home with a side of great conversation and companionship. We fill your refrigerator with great meals and fill your home with the wonderful aroma of home cooking. Our mission is to IMPROVE SENIORS’ LIVES THROUGH FOOD.
Chefs For Seniors is available across the US, with over 80 franchises and growing! Our highly skilled personal chefs are ready to prepare delicious, home-cooked meals right in your own kitchen. We’ll create menus that are 100% customized to not only fit your dietary needs but also excite your palate. We’re more than just a senior meal delivery service, we offer a meal service that’s convenient and surprisingly affordable so you can spend more time doing the things you love – and less time worrying about cooking. Our chefs are ServSafe certified, undergo thorough background checks, and are fully insured. Plus, you can enjoy watching them perform their culinary magic in the safety of your home.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Chefs For Seniors – Myrtle Beach began as a one woman show. It was just me for the 1st year or so. Now that being said, I had the unwavering support of the Franchisors during this process of starting and growing my business. But the execution and growth of the business was my responsibility. Starting my very 1st business was a huge undertaking and I was excited for the opportunity. You see, the hard part was already done! I found a business model that spoke to me and my passion. I think Chefs For Seniors is the best business ever and selling this service to others is simple because we fill a great need. I love nothing more than feeding people and sharing my cooking skills with others. The mission of IMPROVING SENIORS’ LIVES THROUGH FOOD is truly in my heart. So sharing what I do and growing this business has always felt very organic. Our clients love to tell their friends about us and how they enjoy our service and the wonderful meals we prepare. Many clients come to us by word of mouth, but we are also fortunate to be part of a very fast growing national franchise network of 80+ locations. Having a great national reputation is a huge help to grow each of our individual franchises.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Making sure we are doing our very best to fulfill the needs of our clients will always be our main concern. We understand the importance of what we do and how our clients have grown to depend on us for their meals. We do not take that obligation lightly. Hiring a team of people that can appreciate and enjoy the time we get to share with our clients is also urgently important. It takes a special person with a caring heart, compassion and a need to serve others, all while possessing the skills to prepare delicious food. Proper Team Building is the foundation of great service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chefsforseniors.com/myrtle-beach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chefs-for-Seniors-109838404234757
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-miller-03391340/
- Other: Phone: 843-734-1780 Email: kim.miller@chefsforseniors.com