Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Valeria Suing, co-founder of Kazkara, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business, Kazkara, is an online coffee store located in Toronto! We primarily sell Ecuadorian specialty coffee. We have a selection of guest roasters and tea leaves from small businesses around the GTA. Over the years, we have been blessed to be a part of the coffee community in Toronto. We welcome everyone who wants to enjoy coffee and learn more about what’s in their cup. We advocate for equality and consciousness surrounding the coffee chain and its practices.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Valeria Suing, and I’m a full-time Digital Futures student. I run this business with my brother Pedro. We’re both Ecuadorian immigrants, and it has always been a dream for us to open a family business. Growing up in a coffee-producing country has really impacted our family culture. We couldn’t think of a better idea to highlight and support the coffee farmers and professionals from back home. What motivates us every day is our values as a specialty coffee business. Our focus is not only on high-quality products but also on the people who make this possible.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think our biggest accomplishment has been establishing a brand presence. These years we have been able to grow our community, and we are very proud of all the interactions and relationships we’ve been building. Every day we get to share our story and values and connect with our customers, content creators, and industry professionals over our shared passion for coffee.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When you’re managing a small business, you’re most likely dealing with limited resources. In the beginning, we struggled with this reality, but we had to get creative when allocating resources, and over time we have learned how to manage our budget better. Time management is also a big struggle, especially when you have other activities outside of your business. Being organized with your time and following a schedule is crucial to keep things running.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My top 3 tips for starting and running a business would be: research, learn and connect. Doing your market research is very important to developing a solid business plan and brand image. It will also help you to find different opportunities and possible threats to be aware of. When you feel ready to start executing your plans and campaigns, make sure to keep an open mind. Being a business owner means that you would have to tackle different jobs, and you will most likely make mistakes along the way. It’s important to take these situations as reflections and learn from them. And lastly, connect! Don’t be shy to ask questions to other business owners; there are many platforms where you can share your experience, and we can all learn from each other.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I just wanted to say thank you to Go Solo for sharing entrepreneur stories! I really value the sense of community between business owners. I’m always open to chatting about anything business, coffee, or life-related!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kazkara.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kazkaracoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazkaracoffee/
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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