Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eddy Shin, owner of A Cut Above Butcher Shop, located in Santa Monica, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a neighborhood Butcher Shop with a focus on whole-animal butchering. We strive to provide the finest all-natural, locally sourced meats & poultry. Utilizing our meats, we have a small sandwich menu and house-made charcuterie products. Most of our customers are Westside locals; however, we serve customers from all over the greater Los Angeles area.
Tell us about yourself
I have been an executive chef for most of my career, with a focus on steak houses. So when the time came to make a change, I understood where my passion was leading me. With so many industries getting so large, the idea to scale down really appealed to me. Creating a community around my passion, meat, keeps me doing this every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Creating and cultivating a successful business from scratch.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Surprises, whether it is staffing issues, a broken piece of equipment, or a flood in the middle of the night. It seems that there is always some issue that requires adjusting and pivoting. It's very hard to disconnect mentally from the business. It is a 24hr seven days/week job. It will test you physically, mentally, and spiritually.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start-up capital, especially with new construction, should be increased by 50%. There are always unforeseen costs.
- Listen to the opinion of others. Some staff may have great ideas for improving the operations of the business since they are in the "trenches."
- Make sure this is what you are passionate about. There will be days when it is your passion for the business that is the only thing keeping the business afloat.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.acabutchershop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACAButcherShop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acabutchershop/
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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