Episode 12: Creating Your Dream Job with Courtney Whitmore
Guest Spotlight
Courtney Whitmore left her full-time job as a career counselor at her alma mater, Vanderbilt University, to launch Pizzazzerie.com (pronounced piz·zazze·rie [pəˈzaz ərē]) in 2010 to share entertaining inspiration and ideas with her readers. Now a published cookbook author, she utilizes her talent in entertaining and food styling to share daily party inspiration with her readers. Growing up in the South, Courtney has always loved the art of presenting classic Southern foods with a modern twist and setting a tablescape with lots of pizzazz. She attended Vanderbilt University earning both a bachelors in Communications + masters in Organizational Leadership. She is the author of 5 cookbooks. Her expertise has been seen in Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, HGTV.com, Ladies Home Journal, AOL’s DIY Life, Access Hollywood, and MarthaStewart.com.
Questions Courtney Addresses in this Episode
What's the best career advice you've ever been given?
What did you study at Vanderbilt?
How would you describe Pizzazzerie for those who are new to the site?
What part of your business do you love the most?
Tell us about your books.
Where do you keep all the table settings after photo shoots? Is there a dish room somewhere?
How did you come up with the idea for Pizzazzerie?
Many people have great ideas, but they get overwhelmed and don't know how to make it happen. Walk us through your research, strategy and process for turning this idea into a reality.
How many hours a week were you working on pizzazzerie while balancing your full-time job (what can new entrepreneurs expect in terms of a time commitment)?
How did you know it was time to take the leap and go full time with your business?
When did you start hiring team members and how many people do you oversee now? Was it hard letting go of handling everything yourself?
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
How did you monetize your site (did you select one main way or diversify your streams of income)?
How do you keep adapting and leveling up as technology shifts? For example, do google algorithm updates impact your approach?
If you were starting from scratch today instead of back in 2009, where would you begin?
What's next for you and Pizzazzerie?
What advice would you give to people who are contemplating launching their own internet-based business?
Mentioned In Today’s Episode
Links
Books
These books are affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you purchase through these links.
Additional Resources for Starting an Online Business