 So, let’s start with you are you from this local area?
Yes, I am local to the area. Why did you choose this line of business? When did it start? What Year? I enjoy the cooking aspect and seeing people smile after they eat the food that is being prepared. I went to school and trained through the Culinary Institute of VA, went to work at a restaurant and then started to do some personal catering on the side. I eventually added a baking portion of it such as pastries, muffins and cheesecakes. I first started with the catering in 2013. The cheesecakes in 2015 and then this year I started adding other pastries to it. Starting a business is a tough thing to do! What inspired you to keep going as you were getting it off the ground? I just stuck with it. There is nothing in particular that kept me going, as it was just a part-time business. If I got a call from a potential client, it was good, but once I started with the cheesecakes, it really started taking off. When would you really say your business went from a concept to an actual functional business? It took probably about a year and a half before I decided to actually hop into it and started doing the research on how to start a business. Looking back, what was the most difficult challenge(s) you had to face? Mostly getting the word out, and that’s when I started doing face to face with people telling them about my business. What is one thing you would have done differently? There is nothing I would really change, but I wish I had started a website a few years ago. What do you enjoy the most about the Virginia Beach communities your business takes care of? The excitement people have when they come up to a table at the farmer’s market and they make a purchase, like it and then come back and make comments. I have a table at Farmer John’s Market which is by the Farmhouse Brewery. If a potential customer had to pick from 3 different businesses providing the same services you provide, what would make your company really stand out, and make them choose your company over the others? I go towards what the client is looking for and work things around their financial budget and or the budget that they have in mind. Has internet technology played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful? Actually, the Farmer’s market helped more than anything and me talking to people about it via word of mouth. Do you feel that internet technology could play a bigger role in your business if you had the right tools? Definitely!! Which I hope to, next year, do a website. That is one of my goals. What is the toughest thing about being in business in 2019? The number of people that are out there that have similar businesses as I do. What do you think could possibly help set you apart from those other businesses? I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it. Where do you see your business in the next 3-5 years and why? Continuing to grow and possibly doing it to where that is all I am doing, where I am not working for someone else but more for myself and, hopefully down the road, possibly opening my own brick and mortar. What is the best way for our readers to connect with your team and to take advantage of what your company has to offer? BUSINESS NAME: Casual Chef Catering OWNER NAME: Carl Desei PHONE NUMBER: 757-567-2372 EMAIL: [email protected] Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/casualchefcatering/ Farmer’s Market
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Over 50 years strong, a major recent renovation and this bar & restaurant in Norfolk reeks Greek!
So let’s start with you are you from this local area?
Yes. Born and Raised in Norfolk, Va. My whole family is from here and I graduated from Maury High School. Why did you choose this line of business? After I graduated high school. I toured with my brothers band Savannah all around the country. When we got back in town I needed to decide on a real career path. I saw how much joy the restaurant industry brought my father when he opened the business so I began working along side of him. What made you decide to start your own business vs. working for somebody else? When did you begin your business? Our family was always very entrepreneurial. My father began this business in 1966 and I joined him in 1982. Starting a business is a tough thing to do! What inspired you to keep going as you were getting it off the ground? My father started the business, but after I took over there were many challenging times and obstacles that I faced. Staying current in the large community of restaurants in Norfolk is tough. At one point I started a catering company called Creative Catering of Va when the restaurant wasn’t doing so well to supplement our income. We underwent major renovations about 2 ½ years ago and have grown tremendously since! In 2018 after owning the catering company for 12 years I can happily say that I was able to comfortably sell it because of how well the restaurant is doing. When would you really say your business went from a concept to actually functional? Looking back, what was the most difficult challenge you had to face? Investing a lot of money into renovations for a business that was not profitable was very scary and a large risk, but it was 100% worth it. We have been in business for over 50 years and would like to continue the family legacy for another 50. What do you enjoy the most about the Virginia Beach communities your business takes care of? All of our customers have been so loyal and supportive of us. They are a part of our family, and are what keep us going to want to always try and be better. If a potential customer has to pick from 3 different businesses providing what you provide, what would make your company really stand out, and they choose your company over the others? Being family owned and operated we care very much about the quality and consistency of our product and you are always treated like family when you dine with us. Our customer service is one of the things that we truly pride ourselves on. Our employees work very hard to make sure every guest leaves happy. Has internet technology played a big part in your growth, and making your company more successful? Social media has played a large part in our growth. We have been able to reach a whole new clientele with the help of facebook and Instagram marketing. Where do you see your business going forward in 2019? We hope that we will continue to grow and be able to offer great food and service to the community. Thinking back to day one, can you think of anything you may have done differently to overcome challenges and to meet your business goals in a more efficient amount of time? I wish I would’ve added a bar earlier. Alcohol sales were really low for us in the past only offering beer and wine. Adding a bar changed a lot for us. Where do you see your business in the next 3-5 years? Continuing our consistency in food and service and continuing to grow in sales. What is the best way for our readers to connect with your team and to take advantage of what your company has to offer? Follow us on social media to stay in touch with new events and food specials we have! http://www.orapaxrestaurant.com/ |
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