How I Started A Cooking Classes Business With 7 Locations
Hello! Who are you and what business did you start?
Hi, I’m Monika Reti, owner, and founder of Hipcooks! Hipcooks Cooking Schools are known for measurement-free cooking, delighting in the process, and inventing along the way. Every class ends a dinner party with new friends.
I started the company in 2004, hosting small hands-on classes out of my loft-style apartment in the LA Arts district. Each class ended with enjoying great food, sipping wine and making new friends around a large communal dining table.
I was very lucky (preparedness meets opportunity!) because Hipcooks received great media attention, top Google placement and grew quickly, but organically. I opened my second location in 2006 and met my angel investor and mentor. Together, we opened 5 more Hipcooks locations, before I bought him out in...
