Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Mikulski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

I’m sure that you’ve heard this before, but success is lonely. The people that you thought would be there for your highest highs and your lowest lows are the same people who are nowhere to be found during, well, any of it. On the flip side of things, you come to realize the lengths that the people who love and care about you will go to to show you support, build you up, and lend you a hand wherever they can. Running a business is a very personal thing, and people won’t understand. Especially at the onset, you’ll be met with plenty of comments about your new ‘hobby’ and a lot of questions about why you’re spending so much time on something ‘silly’ when in reality, you’re creating a viable business and a valuable revenue stream for yourself. I’ve learned to discern the difference between the people who are using me for what I now have and the people who genuinely love and support what I’m doing. My success is nobody else’s business and not determined by anyone else but me, but the ride is so much better when I have friends and family to share it with.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the owner of The Mick’s Kitchen and I would categorize myself as a food development and recipe blogger and cookbook author! I got into this business at the beginning of 2021 during the pandemic because I was looking for A) an outlet for all of my anxious energy and B) any sort of connection. Food is the ultimate olive branch. Everything in life is done over a nice meal and I wanted people to be able to create that nice meal themselves. There is no greater feeling than taking a bite out of something you made and breaking out into a smile. Food brings joy and comfort and I want everyone to feel that every single time they sit down and eat. While it started out as something so simple, it’s grown into something I never could have imagined it being. I create recipes for all walks of life and for all occasions. Whether you’re looking for an innovative take on appetizers for hosting or a gluten-free, sugar-free dinner that’ll impress the masses, I have something for you. The Mick’s Kitchen was created to support a diverse community and I hope that everyone can find something there.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

As a food blogger, my social media presence is huge. A key to my success is building a community that trusts me. No matter the business, I think your social media presence matters. Not only is it a completely free marketing tool, but you get to directly connect one on one with your clients and audience. They’ll tell you exactly what they want out of you and you can build brand loyalty. I think that a couple of things have helped me build a positive reputation within my market. First, I think it’s my constant, open communication with my community. I ask them exactly what they want and then I give it to them. I talk to them through direct messages and e-mails and create an environment where we support each other. My brand isn’t focused on me, it’s focused on what I can do for the people that I’ve built it for. Second, I’m good at what I do. You have to be good at what you’re offering people. If you’re a lawyer, you have to be good at law. If you’re an accountant, you have to be good at numbers. If you’re a chef, you have to be good with food, and I am. You can’t build a business around something you’re not passionate about and that you know nothing about. Finding the balance between what you love, what you’re good at, and what makes you money is difficult, but incredibly important.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

My business has always been focused on multiple revenue streams. I think that’s the only way that small businesses can survive in the beginning. Using one source of revenue as capital for another one is one reason I’ve been able to grow without any outside investments. The key is finding a cost-free source of revenue and then using that as a domino to fund other projects and investments that will make you money.

Contact Info:

• Website: themickskitchen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themickskitchen/
• Other: pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mickskitchen/