Check Out Jason Franklin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Franklin.

Hi Jason, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For the past 5 years or so, several of my friends and I have been traveling for our birthdays. We would cook some of the days we were traveling and on a few of those occasions, it was suggested that I offer meals as a service. Last October, it was suggested again and I was asked how soon I could start. So I went ahead and launched meals by Max in January of this year. I’m looking to expand my client list and hopefully get to a place next year where I expand my services for small events and add more clients for personal in-home chef services.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. The last few months have been challenging with the rise in food costs and gas prices. I have a very strong support system with friends and family but it is hard to keep costs down while also not pricing myself out when it comes to what I charge. I aim to use quality ingredients and I don’t want food costs to get in the way of that. So right now I am trying to weather the storm so that I can continue to garner new clients and keep my services affordable.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Being a personal chef is relatively new. In the area, I am most known for my work as a poet/ writer and for my work with Speaking Down Barriers, a non-profit organization based out of Spartanburg. I have one book that I self-published back in 2016 and I am working on a second book that I hope to release by the end of the year.

I am most proud of constantly trying to reinvent myself and learn new skills. I worked at GSP Airport from 2011-2018, right before the pandemic hit. Speaking Down Barriers offered me an opportunity and from there I was able to use some of my skills as a novice web and graphic designer to get some contract work that led to being on staff. That opportunity afforded me time to spend doing more work as a writer and also eventually build meals by Max. It also allowed me to be a part of some social justice work in the community and work towards being a part of seeing some change in our community.

I think what sets me apart from others is trying my best to see where I can improve as a person and working towards that. We can’t help others without seeing where we need to improve first. With all that is happening around us, locally and around the world, there is so much change that is needed. I’m glad to say that I work with an organization that looks to establish connections with people who want to see social change and then work to see that change become reality.

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is being happy with what you do. As a writer, making a lot of money doesn’t come from poetry and novels. As a personal chef who is just getting started, it doesn’t come from plates of food or dinner parties.

It’s hard and it takes other sources of income to make ends meet but I am the happiest I have ever been doing what I love and trying to build my brand. I feel like I have a real purpose. Seeing people enjoy my food is a success. If my clients are happy, then so am I.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meals_by_max/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mealsbyMaxPC
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/meals_max