These Are Ina Garten's Top 7 Business Suggestions for Up-and-Coming Foodies

Ina Garten, one of my all-time faves and a renowned culinary icon, is making waves with her upcoming memoir, "Be Ready When The Luck Happens," ahead of its October 1 release. 🍴✨ Known for her comforting cooking style (even beginners can follow along), Garten's new book goes beyond recipes, offering powerful advice for budding food entrepreneurs.

In addition to personal revelations about her family struggles and a temporary separation from her husband, Jeffrey, Ina shares invaluable insights on building and growing a business—just like she did when she bought a gourmet food shop in 1978. From that humble start, she created her Barefoot Contessa empire, spanning cookbooks, shows, and more. Whether you're in the food world or another industry, there's plenty to learn from Ina's journey to success!

Let’s hop in to her 7 tips for business owners or inspiring ones!

Nothing is ever a straight line.

Garten writes a humorous account of hiking in the Balch Hills Natural Area, which is close to Hanover, New Hampshire, during Jeffrey's time as a Darmouth student, in the book. Attempting to hike straight up got her too tired. She then began to zigzag across the trail, leaving Jeffrey stunned as he watched her but also teaching him a crucial lesson: a hill is never straight up and over. You have to figure out how to overcome obstacles on your own.

Utilize your boredom to stay inspired

Garten claims that one of the main reasons she quit her job in Washington was because she felt like a cog in a large machine and that she had a low threshold for boredom. She claims that in order to escape her awful situation, boredom has driven her to take absurd risks. That involves purchasing her store and getting her pilot's license.

It's critical to be an equitable boss.

Garten adds that if she had an issue with one of her employees, she would first have a private meeting to try to resolve the issue. If not, she fully disclosed the grounds for the employee's termination to her workers as well. She took that action to demonstrate that she wasn't acting arbitrarily and to let other staff members know that the behavior wasn't acceptable. Garten reports that each time, she discovered that the employees supported her decision.

You and the consumer won't always gain from charging too little.

I can vouch for Garten's brownies—a delectable treat for many years. In addition, Garten had to increase the price to $2.75 in the 1990s due to rising ingredient costs. Even though $6 brownies seem like a good deal these days, she wasn't sure if customers would be willing to pay that much. There was only one way to find out: in five minutes, she sold them after setting out a tray. She discovered that consumers were willing to pay for a product prepared with the greatest ingredients when she sold 1,600 brownies that first weekend.

It would be wise for you to acquire negotiation skills.

Garten claims her father taught her two valuable lessons. Find out what the other guy wants first. Next, determine how to grant it to them while adhering to the conditions of the transaction so that both parties are satisfied. Let something remain on the table, second. Never bargain down to the last cent or detail. Why conduct business with someone if a deal doesn't feel right?

Instead than trying to build a brand, try living it.

Despite having one of the most profitable brands in the culinary industry, Garten isn't one to focus on developing new ones. According to her, it's more crucial to live authentically each day since, over time, that will all build your brand. Holding oneself responsible and upholding your standards each and every day, she argues, is a significant thing. But she can only function in that manner.

As Ina Garten prepares to release her memoir, "Be Ready When The Luck Happens," it's clear that her wisdom goes beyond the kitchen. Whether you're an aspiring foodie or an entrepreneur in another field, Ina’s top 7 business tips are a roadmap for success. From navigating obstacles to setting fair prices, being an equitable boss, and living your brand authentically, Ina's advice is both timeless and practical.

With decades of experience and a proven track record in building the Barefoot Contessa empire, Ina shows us that success isn’t always a straight line—but with perseverance, authenticity, and a little zigzagging along the way, it’s absolutely attainable.

Via www.foodandwine.com