Need impartial thoughts and ideas

[MKCP5]

Hey there. So this isn't completely budget related but I have always found great people on this board and I've gained some good thoughts and insights from you all.
I am trying to figure out what to do with my life. Lol. Not exactly. My kids both graduated from college this spring, I own and run a moderately successful catering business and I babysit mornings before school. The catering business is getting to be old. I'm good at it, but business is up and down all the time (some months I have 4/5 events, some only 1) and the legal regulations of a small business in our area are exhausting to continually stay on top of and in compliance with.
I have the opportunity to take on another family after school each day. It's good money, $20/hr to be a house manager/babysitter. I don't really want to take on another family, but I want more work and to earn more money. I'd like to be able to start saving more and tucking money away as we get a little older (can't believe I am saying that, lol) DH is a teacher so we have always had to be careful with our finances and I feel like I have the time to contribute more. He is not pressuring me, in fact has said to make sure I find something else I will be happy with, not just another job.
I want to work in hospitality or travel. I love to travel. And cook. And eat. I started my career in hospitality a long time ago with Disney! I could probably find full time work at a hotel or in events but it would pay less than nannying per hour and wouldn't give me much flexibility like nannying does. I keep thinking a corporate job will give me maybe 2 weeks a year and that's not enough as we road trip in the summer, etc. I'm open to working customer service from home, ...I just don't know.
Thoughts? Job ideas? Fabulous solutions? Thanks for putting up with my ramble!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

The thing that sticks out to me from your post is ...Money and future financial stability. You won’t get that off the books babysitting/nannying etc

You, if anyone knows No one starts at the top.
You have the entrepreneurial spirit, ur motivated, ur proven, experienced, seasoned....I’d parlay that into a full time job outside the home..as best as you can. Something in hospitality ... if you re lucky perhaps it can be a permanent part time position with the flexibility you crave... that may not be now, but in a few years??
I’d say jump in fully committed... get that resume prepped and go for it!

There is Nothing like (heath) and a strong financial standing!
Wishing you the Best of luck!

 

[TwoMisfits]

I know a career woman who parlayed her small chocolatier business into becoming a homeschool cooking teacher at multiple co-ops in our area. She taught cooking (and her chocolate skills) to kids aged 5-18 in different levels of classes. She started one day a week at one co-op and now does 3 days a week across multiple co-ops (while still keeping her chocolate business).

Your catering business experience and previous Disney experience would probably make you very attractive to those types of situations. I'm not sure where you live, but it's something you could look into...

 

[FQLover]

Have you thought about a job in your school system? That way you could be on the same summer-free schedule as your husband. You could do full or part time. Substitute teaching, before or after school programs, working in the cafeteria, being an aide in a lower elementary class where your creative side could be fun and useful to the head teacher.....

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I am rowing the same boat right now, my oldest just graduated and is heading off to college and I am ready for a big change. I have been a sub for 8 years and I have decided I'm going back to school.

The first thing that came to my mind was come up with some creative classes to supplement what you are already doing. You don't say where you run your business out of, but if it's possible & your catering kitchen allows it, offer cooking classes ! All kinds, Date night/couples classes, kids classes, teen focused classes, target, busy moms who want some "me" time, or people who need some new meal ideas for their families.

Also, I am a Girl Scout leader, and we are always looking for hands-on classes, seminars, demonstrations, engaging opportunities for the girls. It doesn't all have to be indoors in a kitchen. It can be outside too ! Contact your local Girl Scout council and ask about become a vendor they use to sign girls up for sessions. Entry level outdoor cooking, not just over a fire, but dutch oven, solar cooking, etc, and not just for the younger girls, teens too, build up ages with progression.

See if you can ignite some type of home-cooked meal pick up or cooked service. Wither it be a stand up cooler/freezer at the front of your catering business where customers can stop by and pick up meals for dinner, or what-not. We have several boot-camp workout clubs in our town who order pre-made foods from small caterers like you to help keep their clients on track.

Advertise on social media. Get your name in people's brains, join your towns pages, set up a tent at a farmers market, ask schools if you can have a table at their Back to School nights, etc.

 

[LovesTimone]

With your catering business already up and running maybe you should take a step back and really look at it. You say its old... make it just needs some love and a new look. Menu's look into veggie menu, gluten free, and as a some type of allergy menus. Get out there to get your business back on track. There are bridal shows that catering needs are always there, don't forget about bridal showers, luncheon, bachelorette parties, couple showers, baby showers, anniversary parties, birthday parties. If you are willing to work with any budget get that out there. With the holidays on the way, create some flyers, and visit business's bringing them something to try, to form a relationship with them then ask for there business. Ask your friends and family for referrals. Do a appreciation luncheon for the teacher at DH's school, lots of potential contacts there. Private schools, and day cares are another place to stop.

Cooking classes, pick up and warm up meals, sit down with a glass of wine and just brain storm.

Good Luck...

 

[Darcy03231]

Either working in the school system or being self-employed are the only two jobs that I can think of that would allow you to have summers off. You might be able to work something out if you did retail work since college kids are home in the summers and looking for jobs. My son works at a grocery store and there are a couple of mothers working as cashiers that do this. They take school vacations and summers off, freeing up jobs when the college/high school kids are off.

 

[HeatherC]

I am kind of going through the same thing. I have been a part time substitute teacher for many years but had to take off last school year to help with my mom who got sick. I have told them to put me back in for this year, but am thinking of what else I may want to do for the next chapter. I am toying with getting my real estate license but like you, love the summers off so it is hard.

What about seeing if any of the local night schools need teachers for cooking classes? A local high school here offers adult classes in things like baking, entertaining, mixology, appetizers, edible arrangements, etc.

Could kind of combine your catering and still have summer off.

Best of luck to you!

 

[la79al]

I know someone who works customer service for Carnival Cruise from home. She loves it. She sets her own hours (I think she has to work a certain number each week but it sounded managable), she can work from wherever she has the computer, she I believe gets a discount on cruises. When I worked before and after school hours, I hated it because my day was so split up. I felt like I was always getting ready to go to work.

 

[MomToOne]

Over time, you will earn more at a job you really enjoy. So I'd start there, and drop catering and babysitting since neither sound like you really enjoy them these days. Based on your stated loves of cooking/eating, have you considered things like being a personal chef? Or working at a cooking school of some sort? Or making/decorating cakes out of your home?

 

[MKCP5]

The thing that sticks out to me from your post is ...Money and future financial stability. You won’t get that off the books babysitting/nannying etc

You, if anyone knows No one starts at the top.
You have the entrepreneurial spirit, ur motivated, ur proven, experienced, seasoned....I’d parlay that into a full time job outside the home..as best as you can. Something in hospitality ... if you re lucky perhaps it can be a permanent part time position with the flexibility you crave... that may not be now, but in a few years??
I’d say jump in fully committed... get that resume prepped and go for it!

There is Nothing like (heath) and a strong financial standing!
Wishing you the Best of luck!

Thank you so much!

 

[MKCP5]

I know a career woman who parlayed her small chocolatier business into becoming a homeschool cooking teacher at multiple co-ops in our area. She taught cooking (and her chocolate skills) to kids aged 5-18 in different levels of classes. She started one day a week at one co-op and now does 3 days a week across multiple co-ops (while still keeping her chocolate business).

Your catering business experience and previous Disney experience would probably make you very attractive to those types of situations. I'm not sure where you live, but it's something you could look into...

Thank you! Great thought!

 

[wuzzles]

Cooking classes are huge if you have or can get access to a space to run them.
I looked into cooking camp for my daughter. Half day camp 9:30-1 and the place was charging $425 a week. I thought that was crazy but they sold out every week they ran it. Same place also runs evening classes that run anywhere from $75-$200 per couple (depending on the menu) for a single 3-4 hour workshop.
And no it wasn't in a big city. Seems like enough people just like to do it in place of dinner & a movie.

 

[smiths02]

I think I saw this upthread, but around here, some people offer casserole or pre-made type meals to teachers. Since your DH is a teacher, you could work out that you can deliver every Friday (or whatever day) for lunch (individual plates for them to eat and casseroles). You could also ask for a contact with the Sunshine committee at each school so if a teacher is sick, has a baby, etc. then they can chip in for you to make meals for that family.

 

[elf]

I'm a librarian on Long Island in NY and we are always looking for new programmers to give cooking classes. I know there are a few here that do very well and are super busy.
The Baking Coach, is very popular here. Quite a few of our food programmers go to schools, girl scouts and libraries. They charge between $300-$400 a class for between 20-25 people. They do everything from decorating cupcakes/cakes, to pancakes for dinner, fried rice, making dumplings to gingerbread houses for Christmas.

 

[MKCP5]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts. I have done some classes before but it sounds like I need to really branch out on that. I am still working on a plan and finding my way, but I truly appreciate your thoughts and ideas and you taking the time to respond <3

 

[Disney Princess]

My husband works for Hilton hotels (corporate, not a hotel). Entry level positions start at 4 weeks vacation per year. Great benefits for the travel perks as well. I *think* they have work from home reservation positions. He's at an office, so I'm not sure on that. That might provide you a bit of extra time in your summers, with the added benefit of working in the hospitality industry with some hotel perks. You can always check with other hotel brands as well. Good luck!

 

[tcufrog]

If you live in the right city perhaps a home meal delivery service could do well. There are families where both parents work and they'd love to put a home cooked meal on the table regularly on weeknights instead of restaurant delivery but they don't have time to cook nor can afford a personal chef. I envision a website where you offer different meal plans and advertise a monthly menu with different subscription plans. The customers could purchase a one-off meal or purchase a package with a certain number of meals a week. Once or twice a week you or employees (college students or stay at home parents who want to earn some extra money) could deliver the meals with reheating instructions. Basically, all they'd have to do is heat it up and possibly toss a salad. You could also offer special holiday meals such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. It would basically be batch cooking and if you had good access to suppliers the economies of scale could work out in your favor. It could also offer a steadier income than catering.