Jennifer Burns
Owner-Executive Chef
Ms. Groovy's Kitchen Charleston, WV
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
My first job was at Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. The food service industry was always my back-up job.
I majored in education in college, because I didn't see food service as a serious career.
After college, I got married & became a stay-at-home mom for 6 years.
During that time I worked part-time for a couple of catering companies & started in direct sales.
I liked owning my own business, but my success caused stress on my marriage, so I quit.
When I went back to work full-time I worked in radio sales. One of my clients owned a restaurant.
That client hired me to do their marketing and start a catering division. The restaurant closed.
I had catering business booked for the restaurant when it closed, so I started Ms. Groovy's Kitchen.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Owner-Executive Chef
I own and operate a catering company.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Entrepreneurship
Food
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
Every day is a little different. I cater business breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as special events. So the day starts with me and my staff preparing the meals of the day. Start time depends on what meal we are preparing. The afternoons typically are spent managing the business and preparing for the next day. I'm very hands-on. Ms. Groovy's is a custom catering company, so the meals we prepare are all different.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
The food service industry is a trade industry. I have worked in every aspect of the business at this point from bus girl to general manager. My advice is to take advantage of every opportunity to learn every aspect of the business. Take the general business classes in high school if that person wants to own their own business one day. I've seen a lot of restaurants / catering companies come and go and it's usually because the owner does't know what they've gotten themselves into.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"You should get a safe job working 9 to 5 in an office or something. Maybe I could get a job teaching. I hear regularly that I work way too hard and she doesn't know how or why I do it."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Learning Issues
