Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brooks Guerrero, Founder of Abrazo Mate, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called Abrazo Yerba Mate. Yerba Mate is a tea native to South America. It contains many antioxidants and minerals and gives you more sustained energy with no mid-day crash! It’s much less acidic than coffee and healthier for you—from heart health to your digestive tract.
Abrazo in English means "hug," and the culture of "mate" is open and inviting, so that is what our brand is all about. Making sure people feel welcomed and accepted. Whether you’ve been drinking mate for years, are just starting, or need something to replace your morning coffee. We’re building a community where everyone is accepted. Everyone is our customer.
Tell us about yourself
I am proudly Argentine American. My mother moved to the US as an undocumented citizen. So she lived with a fear of being "caught." She didn’t want us speaking Spanish outside the house and wanted us to blend in with being Americans as much as we could. But one thing we always did inside the safety of our home was drink mate. Whenever family visited, we would drink together.
This helps me feel connected to who I truly am and my family in the United States and South America. I started Abrazo because I noticed there were few options in the States regarding mates, and our few choices needed more quality. So we set out to create the highest quality, with organic ingredients and nothing artificial added. It’s the perfect way to start your day!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was starting it! There are so many great ideas out there and so many brilliant people. But we hold ourselves back by not believing in ourselves and not crossing the starting line. So, the most significant accomplishment for me was getting going and believing in myself, which I still remind myself to do daily!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is accountability. Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to stay motivated. It’s OK to take days off, but with no one to report to and no one to check in on you, it can be easy to let one or two days out become five, six, or even more. You have to be the one to motivate yourself, because if you don’t put in the work, you won’t grow. It all comes down to you; keep yourself accountable, and you will see results.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top three tips I’d give anyone starting today are to take the first step. After that, take the next one, then the next, etc. That step looks different for everyone. For some, it’s just taking that idea you jotted down in a notebook to the next step. For some, it’s quitting your job and pursuing it full-time. There’s no last step, so the first is the most important.
Don’t rush it. Long hours and sleepless nights might be excellent in some circles, but it won’t do a successful business. In my experience, I’ve seen it do far more harm than good. Building something successful is a process. Pace yourself! Keep at it and never give up. Success will come.
The third and most important thing is to believe in yourself! We hear it all the time, but it is the most important thing you can do. Believe that what you want to create and achieve is possible. Don’t let negativity from inside yourself or outside voices deter you from what you want to accomplish because if you believe in yourself, you will achieve your goals.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://abrazomate.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbrazoYerbaMate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrazomate/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooksdaniel1/
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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