Daniel Murphy

Having worked in various professional roles, Daniel Murphy has cultivated an impressive range of unique skills. Displaying a passion for music at a young age, Daniel attended the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy in Virginia, where he earned a Master’s degree in Music Education. He spent the next thirty-five years serving in various professional positions across the country, most notably the Artistic Director for the Rainbow Theater in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Choir Director for Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

Now caring for his elderly father, Daniel Murphy is considering the possibility of a career change to certified nurse’s assistant. As a full-time personal caregiver, he has come to enjoy the rewarding aspects that come with this role. Daniel currently runs a cooking class where he educates individuals and families on the importance of healthy living.

What made you want to be an entrepreneur?

When I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes four years ago, I decided then that it was time for a change. My nutritionist recommended that I begin preparing my meals so that I could monitor what was going into my food. I took the time to educate myself and discovered a passion for cooking. I now run a Saturday afternoon class where I teach individuals and families about the importance of healthy eating.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Alongside my cooking class, I am also a full-time caregiver to my father, so it’s essential that my day be structured. My past professional roles taught me the importance of organization, so I often have a list on hand. I like to prioritize my tasks the night before to ensure I am optimizing all hours of the day.

How do you bring ideas to life?

As an easygoing individual, I like to incorporate humor into everything I do. I get a lot of satisfaction out of teaching individuals how to cook so I like to find ways to make learning fun. I’m always searching for ways to make people laugh.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I like the idea of meal services that a lot of individuals are currently taking advantage of right now. While I am an advocate for preparing meals at home, a lot of individuals who work long hours are unable to come home and cook a healthy meal. A lot of companies are now offering affordable solutions for a lot of families.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I like to start my day early and limit the use of distractions. I’m the most productive first thing in the morning, so that’s when I usually go over some basic cooking techniques or search for new recipes to teach. I also like to limit the amount of time I spend on my mobile. I think a lot of us are often pulled in by the temptations of social media, but you’d be surprised by what you can accomplish just by putting your phone down for a couple of hours.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I’d tell my younger self not to spend so much time worrying about the future. Goals ultimately change as you get older and it’s okay to be passionate about new things. Just take the time to enjoy what you have in the moment.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Success is having a team of people that you can collaborate and work with on a regular basis. I work best with other people and I am so fortunate to have such supportive individuals around me at all times.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I recommend that everyone take the time to travel. I love discovering new places and meeting new people, I find it highly motivating. I am inspired by various cultures and I love recreating different types of cuisines that I have discovered on my journeys.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I am a people person so I value communication and the sharing of ideas. When I am preparing new recipes for my class, I always try to take the preferences of others into consideration. I think actively engaging in conversation and not being afraid to try new things keeps my classes entertaining.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I can’t think of one specific instance of failure, but defeat is something that we all have to deal with from time to time. What’s most important is that you learn from those instances and never make the same mistake twice.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I’d say an app to help people who have diabetes make better food choices. When I was first diagnosed, I had a difficult time understanding what I should and shouldn’t be eating. I think having an app provide some insight would allow individuals to make healthier choices.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

In addition to cooking I also enjoy being outdoors. I just started working on a horse and animal rescue farm and would also consider myself an amateur gardener. I recently purchased a wide range of plants that I intend to put at the front of my house now that the weather is improving.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I’m pretty simple when it comes to organization and just use my calendar app on my phone to stay on top of my responsibilities.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I recommend The Energy Equation by Dr. Sarah Myhill and Craig Robinson. It’s a great book that provides advice on how to optimize your energy levels throughout the day. As a busy person this book has really helped me manage my time effectively.

What is your favorite quote?

“To begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment” – James Allen.

Key Learnings:

•  Success is about more than a paycheck
•  Organization is the key to productivity
•  Traveling is a great source of inspiration