Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Steven Smith, co-owner of Crock Spot LLC., located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Crock Spot is a fast-casual concept that has fit itself into multiple locations. One restaurant, two gourmet food trucks, three cafes, including one in Salt Lake City. Our clientele is people wanting a healthy and hearty meal served quickly. We are a neighborhood spot with a restaurant, our trucks go everywhere in the state, and the cafes are inside large cooperative office spaces.
Tell us about yourself
Everyone has some sort of connection to a slow cooker! I just thought people would appreciate an individualized meal served far quicker than people could provide for themselves. Sold my now wife on the idea, and we started out under a tent at a farmers market in 2010; we worked hard to create a sustainable food service concept, something that was easily taught and easily scalable. I am motivated each day by making people happy with the food and having fun while we do it!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Taking the concept from a seed of an idea to now having large developers contacting us for partnerships because of the integrity we have maintained as we grew the business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
More people, more problems. Leadership is something that constantly has to be worked on. Staff like to believe they leave their problems at the door, but they don't. Navigating personalities and having a clear idea of the culture you want is important.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be wary of people starting a conversation with "you know what you should do..." Stick with your idea, adapt when you need to, and constantly educate yourself.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Entrepreneurship is bipolar. At times you question everything and feel like the situation couldn't get worse, then elation strikes, and you're so proud to have accomplished all you have. Finding your personal work/life balance is hard and elusive but important to have on a burner.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thecrockspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecrockspot/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrockspot/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crockspot
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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