We ask our members to share a few thoughts: to introduce themselves to fellow members, and those who are interested in our community.
In this instalment, we interview Enara Parra of RootsandCook
Tell us about your business:
RootsandCook is a recipe developer and digital content creation business.
What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?
creative / seasonal / tasty / fresh / healthy
What are your most popular products or services?
My most popular product is the Fish and Legumes EBOOK – recipes for the slow cooker. 30 healthy Mediterranean recipes for the slow cooker. That includes 15 fish recipes and 15 legume recipes.
What do you like best about owning a business?
To be able to share my absolute passion for cooking to inspire others is amazing. Also, that I can help people to cook and taste new recipes using seasonal ingredients.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
I have always loved cooking but it was during Christmas 2019 when I decided to quit my corporate job and create something with my passion for cooking. Still happy with my decision.
What makes your products/services special?
That I stay true to my way of cooking. I get inspired at the market, with a seasonal product or a dish I had at a restaurant, then I will cook it at home rootsandcook’s style.
What is your biggest fear?
In my personal life, loosing someone I love. In my business, I would say that people will not find my recipes inspiring.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
That my husband and family support and love my project. The community of rootsandcook that love my recipes and give me so much energy. That I found what makes me 100% happy and I can work on that every day now.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
2019 was a huge challenge in my personal life, I lost my mom, my father got ill, got a burn out from work… Recovering from all that and deciding to make changes in my career and life was a huge challenge. Now I can say I am extremely happy with the decisions I made and the new path I am creating.
What advice would you give women who are starting a business?
Stay true to your passion, be yourself and do not do what others do. When you do something that makes you happy you will find your niche. Start small and take baby steps at a time, but do not be afraid of starting something new and different.
What are your top tips for networking?
Get out of you cosy home and join networking events, have a coffee with an old friend… It is so inspiring to meet new people from different fields, backgrounds and cultures. A true inspiration.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I am really active on social media sharing food content so I had to set boundaries. No work during the weekend or in the evening, if I go on vacation I take time off of social media too (fully), my family and friends are part of my private life so I never share it on social media.
What is your motto or theme song?
Be happy or Do what makes you truly happy. (by my mom) It might seem easy but it is not easy to find what really makes you happy.
How do you relax?
I love gardening, I rent a community garden in The Hague to grow my own vegetables 🙂 love it. I also love cooking for friends or family, testing new recipes, listening podcast, strength training…
What place inspires you and why?
Any local market. It is the first place I visit when I travel to a new country. You can get so much information about the culture and gastronomy of that country. It is amazing to walk in a local market, discover new fruits and vegetables, talk to local people, smell new fruits or spices, see how locals buy at the market, buy something new, taste it…
What are your future plans?
I will be launching my first (physical) cookbook in 2022, exited about that. In the future I would love to have a studio-kitchen where I can give cooking lessons f2f, online cooking lessons, record videos…
What else would you like to add?
I am also part of the Instagram team of the WBII and we are going to start doing monthly TAKE OVERS on the Instagram account. Each month a WBII member will take over the account and share a little bit more about their day as a business owner. It is a free style so everyone can share different things. I will be the first one this month so if you want to know a little bit more of how a day looks at rootsandcook do not miss the take over the 9 of December. Thank you, Cigdem for nominating me!
For more information about Enara Parra visit RootsandCook.