In episode 686, Christine Van Bloem shares how she was able to thrive in her niche and diversify her revenue after losing her cooking school in 2020, fighting against giving up on life post-50.

Christine Van Bloem is the owner and head cook in The Empty Nest Kitchen, where she teaches empty nesters how to cook for one or two, while finding the fun in cooking with a healthy-ish vibe. She is also the creator of Menopause Meal Plans, providing tasty weekly menus utilizing the Mediterranean Diet for perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women. Christine completed her Culinary Medicine Medical Provider (CCMP) certification and also hosts popular monthly online classes through AARP and the Empty Nest Kitchen podcast.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to build a reliable income from your food business (without relying on ad revenue), why your niche plays a critical role in diversifying your business and how to rise above personal hardships.

Key points discussed include:

- Diversification is Key: Explore multiple avenues like teaching classes, memberships, and corporate team-building to future-proof your business.

- Find Your Niche: Focus on a specific audience, like empty nesters or menopausal women, to create targeted, valuable content.

- Embrace Online Opportunities: Leverage platforms like AARP, virtual classes, and online memberships to reach a wider audience.

- Be Authentic and Fearless: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things, even if they seem outside your comfort zone.

- Learn from Challenges: Personal hardships can be transformative and lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.

- Continuous Learning: Stay open to new certifications, courses, and skills that can enhance your business offerings.

- Community Connection: Build meaningful relationships with your audience through interactive and personalized content.

If You Loved This Episode…

You’ll love Episode 582: Creative Ways to Earn Money as A New Food Blogger with Katharine Rosenthal

Connect with Christine Van Bloem

Website | Instagram