A catering business is a service oriented business. Caterers will provide food, sometimes supplies and service for social events like weddings, anniversary parties and just about any other gathering.

What skills are helpful?

The number one skill that would be helpful in running a catering business would be the love of food and the passion to cook. To run a successful catering service you will need to be able to work well under pressure, keep your calm and be reliable. When you are offering a service based business you are selling your dependability instead of a product. Deliver what you promise.

What tools are needed?

If you are just beginning a catering service you might be able to eliminate some start up costs by renting equipment instead of outright purchasing it. In the long run renting probably would end up being more expensive if it’s done over and over but until you get a few contracts and some cash flow it could be the way to go.

Besides the equipment you will need to do all the cooking, you’ll need chafing dishes for serving the food hot and insulated containers for transporting it. You will need some other basic business items as well. A phone line, fax machine, client contracts, and possibly even a computer and internet access if you plan on working online at all.

How do you get started?

My first suggestion would be to hold a ‘pretend’ catering event. Have your friends and family be the guinea pigs. Find out what cooking for a large group of people is like if you haven’t done it already. Having a ‘pretend’ party will give you first hand experience with the planning, cooking and pulling off the social event.

If things go well and you are still ready to move forward with your decision and start this catering service you need to choose a name. Even before choosing a name it might be a good idea to check into the legalities of beginning your own business. Check to see if you need a permit, find out what your local and state laws are in regards to starting your own business.

Once you have all the legal issues worked out you need to decide how to market yourself. Print up some flyers and hang them at local grocery stores, your library, etc. Send out a brochure to area companies that could possibly use catering services for social events. Have business cards made up so that they are handy to give out when you are in public.

If you have a love for cooking especially in large amounts and providing a service to others starting a catering business might be right up your alley. Research other caterer’s in your area; you will want to offer reasonable prices and find ways that you can make yourself unique so that you aren’t just another caterer out there. With time, dedication and perseverance you can become successful!
Resource:
Everything Guide to Starting and Running a Catering Business: Insider’s advice on turning your talent into a Career (Everything: Business and Personal Finance)

Direct Answers from Wayne and Tamara

For Love Or Money

I?ve been married twice and think I was a good husband.  Shortly after my son was born, my first wife started staying out until the wee hours.  I cared for our two young children while she prowled for men.  She became hostile anytime I objected, and screamed at me in front of our children.  At the urging of her family, I divorced her and now have my children most of the time.

My second marriage ended when I found my wife having relations with the frozen food deliveryman.  The truth is neither of my wives loved me.  They liked my earning potential, but they did not love me.

In any case, reading websites promoting affair-repairing services, I wondered why infidelity was such a deal-breaker for me.  Was I simply a less evolved, less forgiving type?  I know in my day-to-day existence I am not a grudge holder.  I couldn?t put my finger on why, after finding my wives were cheaters, I had no desire to reconcile.

You articulate the reasons very well: the desire to be loved to the exclusion of all others, and an aversion to having to remain ever vigilant in the future.  Your view makes so much sense to me.

Gil

Gil, emotion used to be considered the poor cousin of reason, but contemporary neuroscientists now see our emotions as part of how we reason.  Our emotions evolved over eons for a purpose.

Just as revulsion at the sight of maggots tells us not to eat the meat, so the soul sickness we feel at discovering infidelity is intended to protect us.  Your follow-up letter, below, may reveal the source of your problems.

Wayne & Tamara

Rest Of The Story

After my second divorce and a period where I wanted to be alone and take care of my kids, I went on a date.  I really like this woman, and we became close.   I was honest about my kids being a big priority, and she seemed fine with that.

After four months and hearing she loved me and was so happy, she came to me one night and broke up, citing her trepidation about being in a relationship with a guy with young children.  I was saddened but thanked her for her honesty.

Two days later I called to return the books she loaned me.  She was not home so I left a message I would leave them on the porch, wrapped up.   When I got to her house, she was home and invited me in for coffee.  She then asked for a hug and tried to kiss me.  I excused myself and said goodbye.

Two weeks later she began e-mailing, saying how hard this was and how her heart was breaking.  The last e-mail included her photo in a revealing, see-through dress.  After one e-mail from her describing how compatible we were, I asked if she wanted to still be a couple, as I had strong feelings for her.  She said no, due to my obligations to my kids.   Why on earth does she keep e-mailing me?

Gil

Gil, this woman is offering you a choice.  ?You can have what I?m offering in the photo, or you can have your children.  But you can?t have both.?  Women who exude sexuality may offer excitement, but excitement is not fidelity or love.  When a woman uses her sexuality to get what she wants from you, believe she will use it on other men as well.

Ask yourself if that is not the story of your two marriages.  Sex may be your Achilles? heel.  If you confuse unvarnished sexuality with the sexuality which flows from love, or if you unconsciously use money to generate female interest, that may explain your problem with women.

You want to know why this happened to you before, and it appears you are in the midst of doing it again.

Wayne & Tamara

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers,  PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com .