Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lea Weir, founder of Salt Spring Island Kombucha, located in Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We brew and flavour premium, organic kombucha and pair it with local organic fruit and herbs. Our customers are health-conscious locavores. We blend a unique brew that is crafted in small batches using our mountain spring water and organic teas, including immune-boosting Yerba Mate, an antioxidant powerhouse.
Tell us about yourself
I started selling kombucha as a way to get involved in our amazing local farmers market, which I had wanted to be a part of since moving to salt spring. But the product took off, with local stores soon asking for bottles, and we expanded pretty organically from there. Each day I’m motivated obviously by the need to put food on the table for our three boys, but when my motivation starts to lag, I’m always encouraged by the lovely emails and messages I get from customers who genuinely love and are nourished by our product. It honestly turns a hard day around, not uncommonly!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I feel like we have cultivated an incredible community of employees who love coming to work and are well-paid to do so. They tell us that they feel very personally involved in our kombucha, they are considered, and their thoughts are listened to on each step of the production journey.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Well, having to let an employee go. It’s only happened once, and I hated it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I would say- don’t start a kombucha business! Haha! It’s vastly harder than it seems when you are growing a little SCOBY at home. Other than that, I guess I would say start a QuickBooks account right away. We lost a lot of money due to disorganization at the beginning, and constantly comparing prices, high costs really add up over time.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ssikombucha.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltspringKombuchaCo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Saltspringislandkombucha/
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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