Last month I shared my review of Menu for the Week, an online weekly recipe service, which sends out an email each week with a menu plan, recipes and shopping list. If you missed my review, check it out here. Ever since I began using this online service a few months ago, my weekly meal planning has become easier. We have cut down on take-out and have been able to cook up homemade, healthy food in a short time. I just love being able to have a menu planned each week, based on my family's food preferences and in seconds can print out a shopping list to take to the market. This handy shopping list has also cut down on time spent at the market trying to figure out ingredients I need to put together meals in a given week. And, I am not buying items I don't need or that will go to waste -- so, this has helped us save $$$.
If you are busy mom like me and find planning weekly meals to be hard, why not check out Dawn's online service, Menu for the Week. Your family will thank you for it!
And, now here is my interview with Dawn Billesbach, creator of Menu for the Week.
Name: Dawn Billesbach
Company Name/Product/Service: Menu For The Week, LLC
Company Location: Online
Company Website: http://www.menufortheweek.com
Twitter Handle: @mealplanningmom
Age of Company: 2 ½ years
Favorite Inspirational Quotes: “Anything worth doing is worth doing wrong until you get it right.”
Favorite Book: Success Principals by Jack Canfield
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How many children do you have? What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.
Lily is 8 and Kate is 7. We love to do anything outside from hiking to biking to camping and everything in between. When we are inside, we can be found in the kitchen – cooking or baking.
Lily is 8 and Kate is 7. We love to do anything outside from hiking to biking to camping and everything in between. When we are inside, we can be found in the kitchen – cooking or baking.
Briefly explain your business. How did it come about?
I’ve always known that planning our meals by the week is my most sanity saving habit. I knew there was a need for it from talking to other moms who knew they needed to plan their meals, but just couldn’t find the time to make it a priority. It started as an extension of what I already do, plan our meals each week and grew quickly into a national business.
I’ve always known that planning our meals by the week is my most sanity saving habit. I knew there was a need for it from talking to other moms who knew they needed to plan their meals, but just couldn’t find the time to make it a priority. It started as an extension of what I already do, plan our meals each week and grew quickly into a national business.
What is a typical work day like?
I spend about 5 hours a day while my kids are in school on my computer doing technical things for my business. Evenings are our time for making new dishes, photographing them, and testing them for feedback.
I spend about 5 hours a day while my kids are in school on my computer doing technical things for my business. Evenings are our time for making new dishes, photographing them, and testing them for feedback.
What has been a struggle while starting up your company?
Just my lack of knowledge in knowing how to start and run a business – cluelessness.
Just my lack of knowledge in knowing how to start and run a business – cluelessness.
What did you do in your past work life?
Geology technician
Geology technician
What have been some of your major successes?
One of my first goals was to have subscribers in every state, so I considered that a success. I was also very proud when MFTW was featured in Redbook.
One of my first goals was to have subscribers in every state, so I considered that a success. I was also very proud when MFTW was featured in Redbook.
What have been some of your major challenges?
Juggling my time between work and family and keeping the 2 separate have been a huge challenge for me.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
I always keep my eye on the prize, which is financial freedom. I think of the example I want to set for my girls and I think of what success feels like.
I always keep my eye on the prize, which is financial freedom. I think of the example I want to set for my girls and I think of what success feels like.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
That’s my biggest struggle, but I’ve learned that you have to set aside separate time for each. And most importantly, not feel guilty for whichever one is not getting your time at that moment.
That’s my biggest struggle, but I’ve learned that you have to set aside separate time for each. And most importantly, not feel guilty for whichever one is not getting your time at that moment.
What is next for your business?
I have a cookbook coming out on Amazon and I am building a multi-media platform with books, videos, and articles.
I have a cookbook coming out on Amazon and I am building a multi-media platform with books, videos, and articles.
Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?
Don’t think about for too long before making the first step or you’ll talk yourself out of it. Go for it before you have too much time to re-consider it.
Don’t think about for too long before making the first step or you’ll talk yourself out of it. Go for it before you have too much time to re-consider it.
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