This entrepreneur husband and wife team really bring the WOW factor when doing catered meals. The presentation of their meals are what Pinterest dreams are made of! The presentation of their meals truly sets them apart, and I’m so thankful to call this team family! Get to know the team business, called Glass Door Chef and their unique and beautifully catered meal presentations.
Where are you located? What does your family look like? Humans and not.
Scottsdale, Arizona. I have been married for 11 years to Alex and have a nine year old boy, Liam, and seven year old daughter, Leighton!
Favorite vacation or trip you’ve been on?
Disney Cruise!
What do you do for your day job, in addition to your entrepreneur endeavors?
I own and operate Glass Door Pantry, an organization business. My husband and I have a Private Event Catering Business, Glass Door Chef!
What made you decide to start this business?
Alex and I both spent our careers in Hospitality. Alex worked for Marriott Resorts in Arizona and I worked for a local restaurant group. During the first week of COVID in March 2020 we were laid off. We began having friends ask if we would cater private events, and our business took off after that!
Why has this been a good fit for you?
Professionally, It has allowed us both to use our creative side in our field, we are passionate about the guest experience. We want events to be a time of celebration, and we love helping our clients bring their vision to life while taking the stress of planning off their plate. Personally, it has allowed us to customize our schedule to be home and present for our kids sports, dance, and school activities
If you could choose one treat what would it be?
I LOVE cake or my moms French Silk Pie!
What have been some struggles with starting this business?
The unknown of your calendar, being in events we try to only book within 3-4 months so we can keep up with rising food cost, but the unknown of future event scheduling can be daunting. Also, the personal investment that has to be made, every profit is put back into the business to help grow and move forward.
What has been the most rewarding part of your business?
How happy our clients are!!
Beach or mountain? Why?
Beach! The kids love to play in the sand, and the beauty of the ocean takes my breath away!
What hasn’t worked?
Trying different menu items or we do Holidays to go, sometimes they are great successes, sometimes they are flops!
What else are you doing that is awesome?
We try to constantly keep our menu new and fresh, and elevate how we present our food items. We have presentations that not a lot offer. This sets us apart from many other catering companies. Also, keeping up on our social media and content, as this is where we receive a huge portion of our business referrals from.
What have you learned now that you didn’t know before?
How much work owning a small business can be and the sacrifices in the beginning to build for long term results.
Favorite thing to do in your free time?
We love to travel with our kiddos! Our favorite is a summer road trip cross country back to the Midwest.
What piece of advice would you give to yourself when you started this business?
A friend of mine who is also an entrepreneur gave me the best advice from the beginning: to not ever discount our product or offer “Deals” to friends just because you want the business. It will become an expectation, and hurt you in the long run. To treat every single client the exact same, and you will gain more respect in the end that way.
What is the next thing you are wanting to pursue?
A storefront for meals to be grab and go. I would love to incorporate a few new services with our catering component.
Favorite thing to make for dinner?
I LOVE my husband’s Beef Stroganoff (he cooks, I enjoy!)
How do we find out more about you? Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Etsy. Right now we are just on Instagram @glassdoorchef– website coming soon!
Biblical Thoughts on Work
Who would have thought it would take something like co-vid would make us change how we think about things, or to change our lines of work. Alli and Alex have created a thriving business out of being pushed away from their lines of work. Well, the Bible has something to say about work, and I think it is relevant to talk about here. In Psalm 90: 17 Moses is talking to God and says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands.” In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul talks to them (the Colossians), “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
We need to rely on God to tell us what our next steps are, and sometimes, often times that involves what we do for work. Work doesn’t have to be defined by working in an office, or working for someone else. I think we can see in the past three years, that work can be wherever you want it to be. However, work needs to be done. God cherishes work, and wants people to work. Proverbs 10:4 says “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
Proverbs 16:1-3 says ” The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” In all. If you are doing work that honors God, how he uniquely created you, your work is for Him, not yourself, not for someone else, not to rise the ladder of success to the top, you will be doing work that is of Christ. Pray, honor, and serve the Lord in everything you do.
Follow Along with the Iowa Family Gardening Homestead
I’m so thankful you’re here, and part of our story. You can follow us on Facebook for an up to date list of hands-on classes being offered in Humboldt, Iowa. You can see us on Pinterest, and YouTube and we’d love for you to join the “Dirty Fingernail Club” newsletter list. Check out other entrepreneur friends HERE! We’re excited for where this journey will lead us. Thank you for being here!
This is the start of something GOOD!
What an excellent article. I personally have experienced GLASS DOOR CHEF, their food and their presentation is truly AMAZING.