R. Dale Brunet: From Software Engineer to Serial Entrepreneur – Using What You Got!

The entrepreneurial spirit sparked early for R. Dale Brunet, who discovered his love for connecting with people while selling cookies door-to-door as a child. However, his path to becoming a full-time entrepreneur would take decades to unfold, marked by multiple reinventions and unwavering resilience.

After years in corporate life as a software engineer, Brunet faced his first major career disruption at 40 when he lost his job with a bank in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina later forced him and his family to relocate to Colorado Springs, where they rebuilt their lives – only to face another setback in the wake of the Great Recession when both he and his wife lost their jobs within a few months of each other.

At 50, Brunet made a bold decision when he figured that it was finally time to start doing what he wanted to do when he grew up. In 2010, he launched The House Chef of Colorado Springs, an in-home dinner party service, which, in 2013 evolved into Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen. For 15 years, the highly acclaimed restaurant served over 200,000 guests, becoming a beloved community fixture that offered not just authentic Louisiana cuisine but also a sense of culture and connection.

Now at 65, after closing the restaurant, Brunet has reinvented himself yet again. He's launched a publishing company, Use What You Got Publishing, LLC, authored multiple books, and created businesses focused on legacy writing, self-publishing, business consulting, and speaker engagement services. His latest venture into AI storytelling aims to help others share their own stories with the world.

"Every struggle, every victory, every lesson learned the hard way – it all matters," Brunet reflects. " Whether you're just starting out or reinventing yourself for the fifth time, that drive that keeps you up at night isn't crazy – it's your gift. And the world needs what only you can build."