“I didn't realize that it was my gift. I know it was something that I enjoyed and it's something that I loved, but I didn't learn that it was my gift until I got into my 30s.”
As a young girl, Joanne Thomas used her Easy-Bake Oven to make the best light-bulb-baked brownies that anyone had ever tasted—but it took her decades to realize that the culinary arts were her true calling. Today, Joanne is a former Marine and an international travel chef and caterer who transformed her passion for hospitality into a thriving culinary business. As the founder of Serenity Catering, Joanne has catered everything from intimate dinners to grand weddings and offers a range of services, including virtual cooking classes and private chef dinners worldwide. Her journey from line cook to corporate chef consultant and now entrepreneur reflects her dedication to culinary excellence, believing in the power of hospitality to open doors and warm hearts. Joanne's mission is to create unforgettable experiences through food, making her purpose not just a job, but a calling. Tune in and hear our conversation with Joanne about the importance of honing hospitality skills, watching and cultivating your children’s gifts, and what it really takes to be an entrepreneur.
Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos
Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!
Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.
Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.
Guests
Chef Joanne Thomas
Founder of Serenity Catering
Hosts
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
Richelle Pena
Richelle is a pharmacist with extensive management and corporate experience at Target Corporation, specializing in recruitment, acquisitions, leadership, and operations. She is the Co-Founder and Former Director of Corporate Development at American Pediatric Dental Group, which she exited for eight figures, and Co-Founder of HealthBiz Mastery, an online health business course for healthcare providers, and the HealthBiz Connect community. A recognized business expert and NBC contributor, she’s been featured on GMA, CNN, Pix 11, Good Day Washington, to name a few. Richelle is also the co-author of The Power Couple.
Join 2,000+ supportive, ambitious founders in the
Highlights
The Latest
Is Your Business Outgrowing the Person Leading It?
Business growth does not always mean personal evolution. Discover how Evolutionary Resilience™ helps founders examine the emotional patterns, behaviors, and beliefs that influence their ability to lead and sustain success.
.png)
Jennifer Tsay Creates A Business Nearly 1,000 Photographers Count On
Automate Your Site with a 1-Month Free Trial
Kartra