Your Name: Jennifer Downing

Business Name: Nourish

Type of Business: Food & Beverage

Business Location: United States

U.S. State: Chicago,Illinois

Reason for starting
A stay-at-home-mom of four, feeding them well is a full-time job. Planning meals and cooking from scratch on a budget are reflective of my time in the food industry. Actively learning about our food system, becoming a gardener/beekeeper/chicken wrangler and volunteer resulted a deep knowledge, valuable to everyone. Nourish allows me to share that.

Biggest Success
Being a presenter at the 2012 Organic Valley’s annual event, The Kickapoo Country Fair. Considered the Midwest’s large organic food and sustainable festival I was so honored be play a small part. Perhaps the best though, is having students share their excitement of food and cooking after attending classes. That’s what it’s all about.

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
The same thing any other mother would say ~ balancing family and business. Enamored with my family and impassioned by my work, sometimes it’s difficult to say no and turn it off at the end of the day. Ultimately, the happenings around my own dining table are what matter the most.

Who is your most important role model?
Julia Child. At any age, a woman can begin a successful career which may impact many people. Also, she loves butter. Eating real food is the best thing one can do for themselves.