If not now... when?

If not now... when? This has been my mantra for the past year. After taking a leap of faith and deciding to open my own business nearly two years ago, I have been continuously questioning my decision and trying to take stock in myself. I am happy to report that (finally) I seem to have made the right decision. My business, though pathetically small and certainly in its infancy, is beginning to take baby steps toward success. Without jinxing myself, I am really beginning to see the fruits of my labor. Knowing nothing of business and being a complete pushover do add to the difficulty of making a business profit and grow. But I have faced this challenge like I do anything else.. with tenacity and a stubbornness ranking on pathological. Good thing I have one heck of a work ethic, because I have been working my ass off for nearly two years. I was surprised that going into business for myself was so hard. I mean, I was going into business so that I could get paid to do what I love, right? But I didn't count on the fact that a lot of people want you to do what you love for free.. or at least for next to nothing. I have given a lot of myself away, I have undervalued and underestimated my worth, and I have wanted to throw my hands in the air and say forget it! and go back to a steady paycheck. But I didn't. And I am beyond thrilled that I didn't.

An amazing opportunity has come my way; I will be personal cheffing for a school's staff. I have to take a minute and say that I will be forever grateful to a good friend of mine, Tammie, for bringing this job my way. Tammie has been one of my biggest supporters this past year and a half. She's used my services when I know she didn't need to, just to help me get my name out there, and she's introduced me to potential clients. She's a fellow businesswoman, mother and friend, and I thank her for the help she has provided me along my journey. This week I began what I hope turns out to be a long standing cheffing service. There is a charter school here in town that is using my services to provide healthy, organic dinners for their staff and their families. For a nominal fee the staff member is able to order dinner to feed themselves and their family, and it is ready and waiting for them at the end of the day to take home. No more running through a drive through on the way home! What a lucky staff!

Armed with an order to feed thirty-six summer school staff and their families (yikes!) I set off to shop and prep and cook. My kitchen was a whirlwind of activity today; I will be thrilled when I am able to use their industrial kitchen to cook the meals. On the menu were Green Chile Vegetarian Enchiladas with Spanish Rice or Roasted Chicken with Red Potatoes and Broccoli.



Chopping away... chopping and chopping and chopping. She chops, she chops, she chops tomatillos!


The enchiladas are stuffed with a delicious filling comprised of onions, peppers, calabacitas, zucchini, and tomatillos. Then seasoned with cumin for a smoky Mexican flavor and layered with corn tortillas, green chile sauce and jack cheese for a delicious (and healthy) enchilada. I served them along with my Spanish Style Brown Rice and a small salad.



Meal after meal lined up and ready to deliver. ;o)

My mantra has delivered. A year and a half of telling myself, "If not now, when?". A year of questioning myself and working hard... and then working harder. After a year and a half, I need a new mantra, one that will continue to inspire and encourage me. One that will take me from where I am and, hopefully, bring me even closer to that tiny idea that will become that huge idea.

"Don't just live your dreams, live your wildest dreams."