Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Meendering.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I never envisioned owning my own business, I came to it from a completely different background. I have a masters in Sociology and I used to manage the Consumer Research department at The Washington Post. I was on the high-power career track and then one day the rat race became too much for my husband and I and we decided we wanted something completely new, so we moved to San Diego. When we moved I kept my old job remotely but knew I was ready to try something else.
I honestly don’t know how the idea came to me but one day it popped into my head to search for dish rentals and then my marketing research background kicked in and I started down the rabbit hole, researching any and every kind of company that does this type of thing.
I have always helped create tablescapes for holidays and parties, in fact, it’s a family trait, my mom and I don’t share recipes we send each other pictures of the tablescapes we have created. However, I never thought people did it for a living let alone that I should do it professionally. I briefly mentioned the idea to a friend who is an entrepreneur who then jumped all over it and pushed me to come up with a name, create my website and basically just actually start doing it.
He helped me with the basics of setting upNot My Dish and it’s been a baby step after baby step getting all the logistics in place, networking, getting my name out there and booking business. Then before I knew it I’ve been in business almost 4 years.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As for setting up and getting Not My Dish going, I’ve been surprised at how smooth it has gone, I haven’t had many hiccups. I think coming from a business background, especially one that worked with consumers, contracts and vendors helped tremendously. I’ve also made great industry connections, some who are now friends, and have had great clients.
The biggest struggle was a personal one. I found out I was pregnant at the beginning of 2017 and struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum which is a fancy way of saying I was sick all the time for half of my pregnancy and then was anemic the rest. This translated into a very difficult time running the business, especially when it’s just me and all those dirty dishes that need to be cleaned! I’m lucky to have a great husband and friends in the industry who stepped in to help but I still had to cut out everything except already booked client work to be able to make it through.
For the most part, it basically put everything on hold for a year. Although, I was at the start of my third year of business which is really when all the hard work starts to pay off and having to say no to business because I was too sick was difficult.
Not My Dish – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Not My Dish is a boutique specialty tabletop rental company for setting much more than your basic table. We rent unique dishes, glassware, flatware and other accessories to create a tablescape that you can’t get from a larger rental company. We started initially with mix and match vintage china and vintage glassware but have quickly moved into carrying modern lines as well. We primarily rent to weddings and larger corporate events but occasionally do smaller dinner parties and baby and bridal showers as well.
I think I’m most proud of building this company with integrity and how easy I am to work with, it’s the best compliment I can get. I try and streamline the process and pride myself on getting back to you quickly and make things as simple as possible. Often, I never even meet my clients in person, at this point my reputation, reviews and pictures on the website speak for themselves. I get a rental request, work out the details, book and then deliver on the day of the event, easy enough!
Contact Info:
- Website: notmydish.com
- Phone: 619-798-6120
- Email: hello@notmydish.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notmydish/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notmydish/
Image Credit:
Shutter Pup Photography, Sierra Solis Photography, Lets Frolic Together Photography, Leah Marie Photography, Lindsey O’Nele Photography
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