If you enjoy both working with food and working with people in a creative manner, then catering in Nevada may be the ideal career path for you. Owners of Nevada catering services enjoy the freedom of being their own boss, while doing a job that is flexible and creative. You should have an eye for detail, as well as great organizational and communication skills to be a good caterer.
With a growing tourist population, Nevada is becoming a top place for catered events such as weddings and conventions. However, starting catering in Nevada takes planning, patience and a lot of hard work. Before you begin printing off catering menus or booking events, there are several areas you need to think about first in order to start your own catering services, including:
Secure funding for your Nevada catering services company
In order to get bigger and better paying clients and help your catering services in Nevada expand beyond your home kitchen, you will most likely need some type of financing. A small business loan will enable you to purchase commercial equipment, supplies and transportation.
I recommend: The
Nevada Small Business Development Center can help you with writing a business plan and offers free business counseling for entrepreneurs. Once you have your business plan ready, the Nevada
Small Business Administration can help connect you with a lender. It can also help answer questions about necessary insurance, licensing and permits that all licensed caterers in Nevada need.
Outfit your catering business with all the right equipment and supplies
New caterers need certain equipment to start with, including chaffing dishes, serving utensils, platters and storage bins. As your catering operation expands, you can add to your inventory. Many caterers carry outfit their business with everything from tables, chairs and linen to commercial kitchens.
I recommend: Both
L & M Food Service out of Laughlin, NV, and
State Restaurant Equipment, Co. out of Las Vegas both provide quality catering equipment for both new and seasoned caterers.
Find a market among other caterers in Nevada
There are many Nevada caterers already in business, with name recognition and an established customer base. Therefore, it is essential that you know exactly what your competition offers and what their average price range is. Your catering services should offer a unique menu, but one that is still in the right price range for your area.
I recommend: Scope out other Las Vegas caterers using the list of caterers on the
Las Vegas Weddings site. Outside of Las Vegas, you can look for caterer information through local chambers of commerce, including the
Henderson Chamber of Commerce. Once you have the contact information for your competitors, visit their websites to see their menus, services and price range. You can also contact a company directly if you can't find what you are looking for on their website. Keep you eyes open for public catered events where you can see your competitions work up close and personal. This will give you a chance to try their food and also hear what other people think of them.
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