Ready.. Set.. Here we GO!

I'm literally off to the races now..

Our Grand-Opening is scheduled for March 2011!!  I'm so Excited! 

(Although I am going to continue gathering market research material, there is no reason we cannot push forward. )

Here is what has been going on this past week in preparations for the Grand-Opening:
After much work I feel good about my business-plan and the lay-out of the company.  The expectations I now how for myself as well as my assistants is very clear and put in place in a way that will encourage maximum Fun and minimum stress.. so in other words, AWESOME!  =)  The entire company is self-funded, which is a big deal because that means I don't have the joys of paying off debt for the first couple of years while getting established. 
Last week I did finally decide on my character and costume for that.  ( I will post pictures once it is completed) I am "Lady Llama" and my assistant is Sabrina (who we will lovingly refer to) as "Sassy Mouse". 

Sabrina is a being home schooled by another wonderful entrepreneur mommy.  She is 15 and also taking classes at the local community college while continuing her Home school High-School curriculum.  She is so fit for this position, as she is a natural with children and has shown a level of maturity and responsibility at home as well as in the community.  She also shares my love of cooking, which makes us quite a pair together.

My very talented and professional artist, and brother Matthew Fox who also teaches art classes for a local dance/art school Culture House located in Olathe, KS is working on the design aspect for our logo.

And I have narrowed down the layout of our take-home and advertisement fliers.

Looking back at last week, I didn't feel like much was accomplished, but Oh my Goodness!!  We are in pretty good shape now!

Our first booking, and test group is tentatively scheduled for the first week of March, which forced me (its a good thing) to set a solid routine for the class.  Here is how we will work:

Groups of 3-12 children (we can accommodate for larger groups with notice)

In the days before my arrival for class a package will be delivered to the day-care/preschool/group containing aprons and decorating supplies for the children to personalize and wear for the class. (they of course will be keeping these and taking them home as an encouragement to continue cooking at home with mom and dad)

A felt board in the shape of a Llama will be posted for children to assemble puzzle-pieces to show what step we are on in the food-making process.

A whistle will sound at the end of each step, notifying us to place the next puzzle piece.

At the completion of the cooking class, we will spend the cool-off time we will clean up and then be able to feast on our creations!!

On the following Friday a package will be delivered to the day-care/preschool/group with an edited DVD showing our class and a Take-home flier containing the recipe and web-address to follow the classes and view the class on-line.

Here is my to-do list (updated):
Complete costume
Logo
Fliers
Llama Puzzle Board

So close I can almost "taste" it!!

Join me in my journey, and if you are local and have a 3-8 year old would like to participate in a free class/demonstration, contact me and we'll work out the details.  Also, if you have or know of other homeschooling teens locally who would like to work part-time as a fill-in for Sassy Mouse let me know!!

Grab a Kid and Get Cooking!

Survey Says....

 Today I'm working on market research... very exciting, I know. 



Well, that and sewing diapers.  You may or may not find that more exciting. LOL





If you would like to take part in my survey for market research I would GREATLY Appreciate it.  Just copy and past this link into your browser and answer the questions. https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHRpQWFoZkRzOXRodUROTlhYWUNVdlE6MQ 

 Quick and Painless. 

Thank you so much for your support in my continued journey.

Awesomness

It's snowing like crazy here today, so I got the kids out of school early and we shoveled the driveway and now waiting on my lovely hot chocolate to finish up.  Thought I would hop on here and give the latest.  Things are starting to happen a little faster now.  YAY!!

I heard from a representative for Curious Chef, which is actually a part of Taylor Made Products.  She informed me that they would love for me to use their products for cooking classes and gave me full permission to mention them over the web as well as video.  They are sending me a packet so I can also sell their product to anyone who would like to purchase it along with taking the class.  This is a pretty big deal to me and I couldn't be more excited!

With that out of the way, I just need to do a couple more things:
Complete my business plan... this is a HUGE task and very very detailed.
Meet with a SBA office to make sure I've cleared all the necessary hurdles for licenses and permits
Add some business liability to our insurance... just in case
Finish my costume
Hire an assistant.. I think I know who.. YAY!
Make Fliers
Book several locations for demonstrations

It sounds like a lot, but considering where I started.. this is really good

Off to enjoy some delicious hot chocolate and then to bake a yummy apple pie... MMMMmmmMMMmmmMMmm

Expansion, Marketing, and Assistants oh My...

WHAT!!!

I've been examining the market for cooking classes with kids in my area, well really anything close to the market with-in a 50 mile radius.  I'll be honest with you, there isn't ANYTHING like it here.  The closest thing I found (other than the occasional cooking camp in the summer) is at a culinary school.  They offer once a month for little kids to come in (with a parent) and cook something.. well they say "cook" but what is on the menu this month??  Root Beer Floats!!  Are you serious??  Really?? and guess what they are charging?  $75 per KID!   Now I read this and thought, surely there is more to it, but no.. not really.  They are also going to decorate a cookie and "taste" some other foods.  They aren't even going to make the cookie dough!  Oh and they get a toy, like McD's... I don't get it.  They are booked EVERY month for this "service"....with a waiting list.  

I'm offering a much more "hands-on" approach that may be more worth $75 per kiddo, but I can't even imagine charging that much for a Root Beer Float, a pre-made Cookie to frost and a small toy. {{end rant}}

I could use some suggestions for marketing, so comment away!  Right now I plan to send out fliers to the local Johnson County KS pre-schools and daycare centers.  I may run a special to get me off and running through groupon, and will for sure be putting some info out to the local homeschool organizations.

As a fun addition to the cooking, I have always wanted to be a character.. similar to Miss Pattycake.. she is Awesome!  Yes, I said "IS"  I love how animated and colorful she is.  And it has come to my attention that I should probably consider bringing in a "helper" to assist me in keeping order and organizing/set-up/clean-up.. I'm thinking this would be an excellent opportunity for local home-schoolers to get experience working with kids and earn a few $$. 




Don't be scared, I know I'm full on blogging these past couple of days.. it will pass =)

Ok, ok so Kid-stuff is what I was Born to do.. I get more excited everyday as it all comes together, but I'll let you in on a secret.  I don't just like to cook!  Imagine that.. LOL  For those of you that know me, you know this really wasn't a secret at all.  I hope to expand this to include options for crafts and story-telling as well.  I love all of it and hope that this will be something that I can continue to do and maybe even contribute to our ever-growing family!

Bring on the comments, and remember to tell your friends!!

Grab a Kid and Get Cooking!

Almost there..

So much running through my mind right now.  I'm totally excited for this new adventure!  I'll be purchasing my final supplies this month, which technically puts me a month behind schedule, but I'm learning with 4 kids that I need to learn to be a little more flexible.

I have been saving pennies and also have been very fortunate to acquire many of the supplies I was needing to get started.  It really is starting to come together.  I have been working on my planning and teaching methods and I have what I think is an awesome approach to working with young kiddos.

*I plan to keep classes at around 3-6 kids at a time and use mostly recipes that are simple and leave room for creativity.  I want the kids to be as "hands-on" as possible. 

*The children will all be receive aprons the day before I come that they may decorate and wear when I come to visit and of course keep to take home and cook with their mom or dad.

*I wanted to come up with a visual for the kids so they can SEE what step we are on and how close we are to the final product.  So, there will be a large felt board in the shape of a Llama and project/recipe appropriate puzzle pieces that have the "step" we are on in the cooking or craft project on one side and a fun picture on the other side.  This will be another fun aspect to bring the kids in on the project.

*I also feel it is important that they get to experience all stages of cooking, but for the sake of time I will provide (if necessary) the next step in the cooking process pre-done to help move it along.

*The best part of all, the Eating!!  The kids will have the opportunity to eat their creations and take some home to mom or dad!

*They will also be sent home with fun tips for mom or dad to cook with their kids and the fun recipe of the day.

So, heres the plan... I've had several people suggest I start with daycares and preschools. (my favorite age group!!)  Then I'll have gained a support system and references to move on to homeschool groups or cooking camps locally.  I will need to have signed consent from each parent to have their children occasionally photographed and/or filmed for the purpose of this blog.

I am certainly open to any comments or suggestions.. and don't forget, to help me get the word out you should subscribe to this blog and tell others to follow my journey as well!

Grab a kid and Get Cooking!