We recently connected with Anna Choiniere and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anna, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is such an essential quality to have as a person and even more so as a business owner. I would say my resilience comes from a combination of many personal experiences and having a strong role model of resilience growing up. When I was young, my family and I lost my father due to a battle with cancer. My mother is the embodiment of resilience. Watching her raise us on her own, I saw firsthand what strength and determination look like. She faced every challenge with grace and never gave up, no matter how difficult things became. She taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up every time you do, with even more courage than before. When I journeyed into my own adulthood, I faced many challenges, one of which was becoming a young single mother myself. The way I saw it was that I did not have a choice other than to become resilient. My daughter was watching, and I wanted to become a role model for her like my mother became to me. Becoming resilient is one of life’s greatest challenges, but also one of its most valuable rewards. It’s not something that comes naturally—it’s a skill you build through perseverance, self-reflection, and growth. For me, resilience was forged through life’s trials, especially as I pursued my dream of running a business as a private chef. There were moments of uncertainty, setbacks, and long hours that tested me, but each obstacle became an opportunity to learn and adapt. Resilience taught me how to embrace challenges, find creative solutions, and remain focused on my goals even when the path wasn’t clear. It’s this resilience that has allowed me to create a career I’m passionate about, and I’m proud to see how far I’ve come by holding onto determination and faith in myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Anna, I am a private chef located in Charleston, South Carolina. As a private chef, my focus is on creating personalized culinary experiences that bring people together. Whether it’s an intimate in-home dining event, a celebratory gathering, or an interactive cooking class, I strive to craft meals and moments that reflect my clients’ unique tastes and preferences. My approach combines high-quality ingredients, tailored menus, and attention to detail to deliver not just a meal, but an unforgettable experience. I’m passionate about fostering connection through food, whether that means teaching cooking techniques that inspire confidence in the kitchen or curating multi-course menus that turn special occasions into cherished memories.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three skills that were most impactful in my journey becoming a successful business owner and private chef would be adaptability, relationship building, and resilience. The ability to pivot and evolve was critical in finding success. Whether it meant learning new culinary techniques, adjusting to different clients’ preferences, or navigating unexpected changes in events, adaptability ensured I stayed relevant and prepared. For those just starting, practice flexibility. Learn from your mistakes and be willing to adjust your approach. The culinary world is dynamic, and your ability to grow will set you apart. My connections with clients, colleagues, and mentors played a huge role in my journey. People want to work with someone they trust and feel connected to. My advice is to prioritize communication, professionalism, and authenticity. Treat every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and leave a positive impression. Word-of-mouth and referrals often come from how you make people feel, as much as from the quality of your work. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the relationships I have made with both clients and other vendors in the Charleston area. There were moments when challenges seemed insurmountable, whether it was financial uncertainty, long hours, or the pressure of building a business from scratch. Resilience kept me going when giving up felt like the easier option. My advice to others is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Build your resilience by focusing on your “why”—the passion that fuels your dreams—and reminding yourself that every setback is temporary.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been learning how to balance the rapid growth of my business with my commitment to my family. When my business unexpectedly took off, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of opportunity and responsibility. It was exciting, but I quickly realized that success in my career would mean very little if I didn’t prioritize what mattered most: the people I love.
I had to learn to set boundaries and structure my time in a way that allowed me to be fully present both at work and at home. That meant scheduling family time with the same importance as I would a client event and learning to say no to opportunities that didn’t align with my goals or values.
This journey taught me the importance of delegation, trusting others, and leaning on support systems so I could focus on both my growing business and nurturing my relationships. Now, I feel like I’ve grown not just as a chef and entrepreneur, but as a parent and partner. My advice to others is simple: success is only meaningful if you have people to share it with, so never lose sight of the balance that keeps your life truly fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RaisingRoseKitchen.com
- Instagram: @chef_raisingrose
- Facebook: Chef Anna | Raising Rose
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Headshot: Valarie Joy Winkleman – Served in a Wink Photography
Other product photos: Shelby Thorpe – Ecclesiastes 3:11 Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
