How to Earn $500 per Day as a Personal Chef - Side Hustle Nation

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      Want to make $500 a day doing something you love?

      Let’s discuss it.

      In today’s discussion, we’ll explore the exciting field of personal cooking, featuring someone who has spent 25 years perfecting her craft into a six-figure solopreneur enterprise. Jessica Leibovich, from ChefJessica.com, didn’t initially envision this path. She was working in catering, feeling overwhelmed and burnt out—an experience familiar to many of us. One pivotal question changed her course: “Have you ever considered being a personal chef?”

      Not only did she excel at it, but her first client paid her more in a single day than she used to earn in an entire week. Since then, she has continued this journey and now shares her knowledge with her students through her Prosperous Personal Chef’s Success Suite.

      Tune into Episode 674 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - How to secure your first high-paying personal chef client

      - Effective tools, pricing, and offers

      - Strategies for scaling through digital products and partnerships

      Free Bonus: 101 Service Business Ideas

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      How to Acquire Your First Client

      Jessica's first client resulted from word-of-mouth referrals. However, the turning point for her business came when she crafted a press release for a local community newspaper, similar to those found in coffee shops.

      Instead of merely stating, “Hey, I’m a new personal chef in the area!” she shared a story about assisting a local family with food allergies navigate dietary limitations. She positioned herself not just as a cook but as a problem-solver.

      This simple pitch to a free neighborhood publication spurred her business's growth. Those small, feel-good stories foster trust, which is crucial when you're inviting someone into their home.

      Jessica’s advice: Journalists seek stories. Provide them with a pre-written piece that addresses a problem, and there's a good chance they will feature it.

      What Do You Actually Do as a Personal Chef?

      Jessica recommends beginners charge around $500/day, especially if you're still becoming comfortable with pitching your value.

      Here’s the $500-a-day breakdown:

      You handle shopping, prepping, cooking, storing, and cleaning up. Depending on your methods, these tasks could span two days with planning, shopping, and cooking involved.

      At day’s end, Jessica walks away with the equivalent of a week’s revenue from a single client. She generally earns $650/day plus grocery costs, averaging about $2,500/month from each client.

      With just four regular clients, this can equate to a $10k/month business while maintaining a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 routine.

      The Business Model: The Three Pillars of Her Business

      Jessica isn’t operating an agency; there are no sous chefs involved. It’s a personalized, high-touch service built on three foundations:

      - Consistent income: dependable clients ensure predictable earnings

      - Work-life balance: the overall business model is designed to prevent burnout

      - High level of service: not Michelin-starred meals, but thoughtful, individualized support

      Noticeably missing? “Be the best chef ever” isn’t included intentionally. Providing clients with such outstanding service that you become “part of the furniture” will keep them coming back.

      What Clients Are Really Purchasing

      Yes, they are buying meals, but fundamentally, they’re buying time, peace of mind, relief, and transformation.

      Jessica refers to this as a “support system.” Similar to having a housekeeper, clients appreciate the clean spaces, but the real benefit is the emotional reassurance that someone is looking after them.

      People aren’t hiring a chef; they’re buying time in their daily schedule and mental space.

      Most of Jessica’s clients never even inquire about her training background (which, by the way, includes time in France). They aren’t hiring her for technical perfection; they’re seeking