Entrepreneur Friday

Entrepreneur Friday: Hands on Gourmet

Posted by Jean

WHO: Molly Fuller

WHAT: Hands On Gourmet – Corporate team-building in the comfort of a kitchen.

WHERE: San Francisco, CA

WHEN: 2004

HOW: Working a desk job for a measly, hourly wage, Molly Fuller decided she needed a change. She had been working too long in a job where she didn’t see a future for herself. So she quit, and decided to instead spend her time doing something she loved.

Passionate about two things – food, and culture — Fuller began hosting singles cooking classes at a San Francisco restaurant. It wasn’t until the restaurant received a request from a corporate customer, however, that the gears started turning. The corporate client was looking to host team-building cooking classes for their employees – and a light bulb went on. “Companies are always looking for ways to bring their employees, colleagues, partners, clients together to build community and have fun,” says Fuller. “Food, and specifically cooking together is a wonderful vehicle for this.” With that concept, Hands On Gourmet was launched.

Using $15,000, Fuller first launched a website, opened a bank account, and set out guidelines that would steer the operation in the right direction. After partnering with various venues in the Bay Area, Fuller was able to use venue referrals to build the company’s initial client base — and the system worked. Now, they have 50 different venues and five menus to choose from. The customizable three-hour classes allow employees to better communicate together in the kitchen – which then translates into the workplace. “We encourage people to step away from their comfort zone,” says Fuller. “They break down the barriers of being experts and learn new things, and they can take their communication skills back to the office and function as a stronger, more cohesive unit.”

Six years later, the business has taken off. It’s now worth $1.5 million, and hosts an average of 20 classes each month. With unique menus featuring ethnic specialties ranging from Italian to Moroccan, the company’s clients love the relaxed, fun atmosphere — along with the learning experience. Additionally, Fuller is passionate about sustainable agriculture, so the company uses as much food from local farms as they can. “This is where my passion for what we do really kicks in,” Fuller says. “I absolutely love knowing that we make a positive impact on people.”

HER ADVICE: “Go for it,” Fuller says simply. “You’re never going to know it all before you start, so just start, and figure it out from there.”