Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sharon Colona, Founder and CEO of Avocado Tea Co., located in Temecula, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The tea business and our core customers are consumers that are health conscience and are looking for whole & natural products.
Tell us about yourself
I was planning on retiring from real estate when I stumbled across the nutritional benefits of the avocado leaf. I boiled the leaves for myself for almost a year prior to deciding I should share them with the rest of the world. My motivation comes from our testimonials. We have a wonderful community of tea drinkers that love our tea.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Just putting it all together. There are so many moving pieces, product design, ingredient sourcing, website development, manufacturing, social media... the list goes on. It can be a bit overwhelming, so getting everything coordinated and actually launching our product has been my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
So many hats to wear! I have written out a list of the positions I take on as owner, everything from customer service to social media to product design. As a start, I was a one-woman show. There are never enough hours in the day, and I felt I was always juggling balls and, in the process, dropping many of them. I have added a few valued people to assist me, and that has helped a lot.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stay focused and, start small, grow at a comfortable pace.
- Find the right people, experienced in their field, to help. You cannot be an expert in everything, so pick your battles and hire the experts (even if it is just part-time or Fivver).
- Find balance. It is easy for a business to be all-consuming, but it is never important as the people, family, and friends in your life. I constantly have to prioritize, and many times the priority is not my business which is surprisingly hard to do.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://avocadotea.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avocadoleaftea/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avocadoleaftea/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvocadoLeafTea
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avocado-leaf-tea-llc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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