Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Blanchard.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always believed that food is more than just something we eat — it’s how we connect, how we heal, and how we celebrate. Growing up, I saw firsthand how meals brought my family together, and that passion carried into adulthood. As a mom of four boys, I learned quickly how important it was to balance nutrition, flavor, and convenience, and I wanted to create that same balance for others.
What started with cooking for family and friends turned into a vision for something bigger. I began meal prepping, catering church events, and eventually launched Healthy Living with Jess, a personal chef and catering business based here in Rock Hill, SC. Along the way, I faced challenges — from the ups and downs of entrepreneurship to personal setbacks that tested my faith and resilience. But through every season, I leaned on my creativity, my determination, and my love for people.
Today, Healthy Living with Jess has grown into more than I ever imagined — offering Buy-the-Pan family meals, private chef services, catering, cooking lessons, and now even a juicing line. My journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been purposeful. Every obstacle has shaped me, and every opportunity has reminded me why I started: to show that healthy eating can be flavorful, joyful, and accessible to everyone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
journey:
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It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When you own your own company, you quickly realize that everything falls on you — from building a client base to covering costs to finding ways to get your name out there. One of the biggest struggles has been learning how to grow and sustain my business while relying heavily on word of mouth and deciding when and how to invest in paid advertising.
There were times when I wondered if people would find me, if my food would stand out in such a competitive industry, or if I could keep the business steady during slower seasons. But those challenges pushed me to get creative, stay consistent, and let my work speak for itself. Over time, happy clients became my biggest marketing tool, and I’ve learned how to balance grassroots growth with strategic promotion. Every bump in the road has been a stepping stone toward building a stronger foundation for Healthy Living with Jess.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Healthy Living with Jess, I offer everything from personal chef services and weekly in-home meal prep to catering for intimate gatherings, corporate functions, and community events. I also provide Buy-the-Pan family meals, private cooking lessons, and recently introduced a juicing line. No matter the service, my focus is always on creating food that’s both flavorful and nourishing.
What truly sets me apart is my love for feeding people and making the culinary experience accessible to everyone. I do my best to work within each client’s budget so that no one feels left out of the experience. Whether it’s a weekly in-home client whose meals I prepare, label, and place neatly in their fridge, a small dinner party where guests leave wanting more and raving about the food and ambiance, or a corporate event where professionalism and quality ingredients lead to repeat business — I want every client to feel cared for and valued.
I’m most proud of the consistency and heart I put into my work. For me, it’s not just about the food on the plate, but about the joy, connection, and memories that food creates.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my goal is to build a team that shares my same drive and passion — people who want to change our city and community one meal at a time, one dining experience at a time. I want to keep making clients feel seen, cared for, and full — whether it’s through weekly in-home meal prep, a dinner party, or a big catered event.
I’d also love to do more weddings. We did our very first one last year and it was such a beautiful success. I’ll never forget the look on the bride and groom’s faces during the tasting, or seeing their guests enjoy the food at the reception. That’s the kind of joy I want to keep creating.
Long-term, I see Healthy Living with Jess becoming a recognized brand beyond Rock Hill — traveling for private events, growing my juice line so it’s available online, expanding cooking classes, and eventually adding a food truck so people can enjoy healthy soulful meals at community events.
At the heart of it all, I just want people to know: with me, you’re always going to get healthy food with a twist.
Pricing:
- • Buy-the-Pan Family Meals • Half pan (feeds ~15) starting at $90 • Full pan (feeds ~30) starting at $175
- • Private Chef / Weekly Meal Prep • Custom in-home meals starting at $200 per week (plus groceries) • Includes cooking, packaging, and labeling for convenience
- • Catering Services • Small dinner parties from $35 per person • Weddings, corporate, and large events — pricing customized after consultation
- Cooking Classes • Private one-on-one sessions starting at $75 • Small group classes starting at $55 per person
- Juice Line (coming soon) • Individual bottles starting at $6 • Packs available for 3, 5, or 7 day
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.healthylivingwithjess.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjess_b
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CpF3mq7Dk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hlwjess
