Meet Coral Osborne of First Knives Club

Today we’d like to introduce you to Coral Osborne.

Hi Coral, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my career in the music industry straight out of high school. My father is the singer of a well-known Canadian rock band and my uncle was the VP of Live Nation Canada, so I felt predisposed to the same path. Having developed a reputation as the ultimate “connector”, I then founded a recruiting agency specializing in the Entertainment Industry – hiring Assistants for high-profile actors, directors, musicians and industry executives. After several years doing that, I decided against my better judgement to co-found a tech startup and failed miserably, losing my life’s savings in the process. After a month of laying catatonically in my bed, I read an article that changed my life on “the courage of being insignificant”. I thought about the one thing in my life that was constantly cathartic, cooking. I had always dreamt of going to culinary school once I’d “made it” and had the financial means to pursue my recreational dream. I decided it was now or never and enrolled at The New School. Upon graduation, I realized it was my calling and began working as a Private Chef for some of the highest-profile names in Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter, I formed a catering company due to sheer demand. The demand grew exponentially and before I knew it, I was acting as an agent to Chefs and Caterers nationwide. It was then I joined forces with my business partner who hails from the finance world and we merged our skill sets into forming a one-of-a kind full-service culinary agency, First Knives Club.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Luckily, our business model doesn’t require overhead as we’re strictly service-based. The biggest challenge has been building our roster of Chefs to keep up with our client’s demands, which are now expanding globally. So all around, it’s a good problem to have!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
First Knives Club is a full-service culinary agency like no other, merging the food realm with the finest in hospitality. Considered the “matchmakers of hospitality” we create a la carte experiences for our clients ranging from intimate dinner parties to corporate cocktails, vacation and full-time chefs. We have more than 20 years of combined experience in hospitality, event planning, meal prep and catering to an elite clientele.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
You can’t have a Plan B when starting a company. I left my salary position and started my first company at 24. My business partner at the time was 40 and I made the mistake of taking on all the risk myself. When I co-founded my tech company, I did so on a handshake deal without having anything in writing. My biggest takeaway has been you need to take on a mutual risk with your partner and get a legal partnership agreement that covers everything from work scope to potential exits. Don’t tiptoe around the tough conversations. If you’re on the right path, you won’t have to.

Contact Info:

• Email: coral@firstknivesclub.com
• Website: https://firstknivesclub.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstknivesclub/

Image Credits:
Kandle Osborne