We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristin Jorgensen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I’ve always believed that when creating the ideas for a business, a life, a creative enterprise, it is essential to work backwards. To start by building the sort of life you want for yourself…do you wish to work evenings, or weekends, or do you hope to surround yourself with people or work quietly on your own, etc.? After spending the majority of my life working in the high-anxiety environment of the restaurant business, I knew that for this endeavor I wanted to be surrounded by peace, by joy, by beautiful foods and hospitality, but I didn’t want the stress and hours that came with a life of a restauranteur. I knew that I wanted to create a business based on my favorite thing…which is to be in the kitchen with ‘friends,’ cooking together, laughing, sipping wine, enjoying food together. So, I worked backwards, and created my dream life and business! The Barn…cooking classes in the big open kitchen of an old barn nestled in the mountains.

Kristin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kristin Jorgensen and I am the owner and creator of the Barn. The Barn is a very old converted post and beam barn in the mountains nestled between the resort towns of Cashiers and Highlands that my grandparents purchased more than thirty years ago. They lovingly restored the building into a summer home for themselves and our family over the course of many seasons. Some of my most cherished memories were created here, picking blackberries, swimming in the lake, and tromping through the woods. I spent my life in the restaurant business and when my grandparents began discussing selling the barn about ten years ago, I knew that I wanted to create a life and business for myself here where I could share my passion for cooking and where I could share this special place with other people.

The Barn is an atmospheric space, anchored by a big open kitchen and dining room overlooking an ancient mountain Appalachian mountain range. It is here that I offer cooking classes specializing in seasonal fare and locally sourced foods.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I highly believe in the power of the word of mouth for growing a client base! When creating the Barn, I have always worked hard to exceed people’s expectations and to foster an atmosphere that is filled with joy and creativity. In today’s world, I find that creating a space where experiences are cherished over material goods leaves folks filled with memories that they are eager to talk about and share with others. This always results in lively conversation and the story of the Barn being passed around and the experiences people have here are literally my only advertising!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the worst of Covid, when we were all ordered to stay home, I am sure many business were forced to pivot. During the beginning of those days, I wondered how I would be able to offer a service that required folks to be in close contact with each other in the kitchen, cooking and eating! I realized quickly that I wouldn’t be able to offer my cooking classes here during that time. I, instead, quickly focused on my years-long relationships with local farmers, food artisans, and shop owners. I worked with these small business owners to create a weekly box of goods – from just-baked loaves of bread, to locally-raised chickens and eggs, and big bundles of vegetables – these boxes I dubbed the Barn Box. I believe that these boxes filled with beautiful and delicious goodies brought so much happiness to people stuck home during those difficult days, not to mention they sustained mine and other small, local businesses during a time when otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to have an income!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebarnnc.com
• Instagram: @thebarnnc

Image Credits
Chelsea Lane Photography