Contents
Boot Camp
A structured path through the fundamentals — work through lessons in order or jump where you need clarity.
Chapters
Part A — Clarity & packaging
- Lanes and service menusName who you serve and package 2–4 services clients can actually understand — not a vague "personal chef" blob.
- One true sentence — and where it livesIf you can't say your offer aloud without cringing, clients won't grasp it in a DM.
- Capacity as positioningYour minimums, zone, and calendar aren't just logistics — they're the clearest marketing you have.
- Where clients actually come fromAn honest acquisition map for solo food work — referrals, local networks, content, and paid channels — so you pick 1–2 and show up consistently.
Part B — First conversations
Part C — Scope, money, risk
- Simple proposals and scopeIn, out, and what happens when things change — written scope that protects both sides.
- Pricing and operator mathRough COGS, time invested, and a floor price you can sanity-check — planning numbers, not tax prep.
- Deposits, cancellations, and reschedulesShort policies that protect cash flow and set expectations — written once, repeated every time.
Part D — Small business spine
- A domain and a minimum web presenceWhy a URL matters, what a minimal site should answer, and how to decide without a platform war.
- Business structure and money hygieneWhy people talk about LLCs, separate accounts, and liability — and the questions to ask a professional before deciding.
- Books, categories, and finding an accountantCartoon-level bookkeeping sense, the categories that matter for pricing, and an interview script for hiring a CPA.
Part E — Delivery, safety, trust
- Week-of rhythmConfirm, shop, cook, close — a repeatable weekly pattern that makes delivery predictable and mistakes rare.
- Dietary promises vs clarityWhat you can commit to, what you must clarify, and how to stay honest under pressure.
- Professionalism in someone else's homeBoundaries for kitchens that aren't yours — privacy, photos, cleanup, and the habits that build long-term trust.
- Food safety and regulations — a lookup compassCategories of rules that may apply to your work, how to find authoritative sources, and when to stop guessing.
Part F — Retention, pricing moves, wrap
- Repeat clients vs one-offsWhat to optimize for each, and referral habits that work without being cringe.
- When to raise price or tighten scopeSignals, small experiments, and the same wording every time — so price changes feel professional, not personal.
- Rerun checklist before your next bookingA single-page integration of scope, money, rhythm, and boundaries — the habits worth re-checking periodically.