Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Adelle Pritchard, Co-Owner of Adelle's Creperie, located in Chattanooga, TN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Adelle's Creperie is a brunch restaurant on the south side of Chattanooga. We serve a variety of breakfast and lunch items, but of course, our specialty is crepes. Offering both sweet and savory crepes, our customer base ranges from those looking for a hearty meal to people on the hunt for the perfect mid-day sweet treat. We strive to create an environment that welcomes families, brunch enthusiasts, and those who just want a cup of coffee while they read a book.
Tell us about yourself
From the very beginning, my goal with the creperie has been to share my love of food with my community. Crepes were often at the center of the celebrations my family would host, so I quickly began associating crepes with an expression of friendship and joy. Adelle's Creperie was about taking this experience to a larger scale. Today, that is the idea that keeps me motivated. I want to keep working to make Adelle's Creperie the best it can be in order to continue facilitating gratitude and special memories through food.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The creperie started when I was only twelve years old, so my experience with business has definitely been unique. Looking at numbers and recipes improve has definitely given me a sense of pride. However, the times I have felt most accomplished are when young girls have told me that my story inspired them. I used to think my age and gender put me at a disadvantage in the business world, and they definitely do come with their challenges, but these comments have helped me see the power in these traits. To be someone that young girls can see themselves in is an incredible gift that I'm infinitely grateful for.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
It can be hard to slow down to appreciate the things you have accomplished with your business. Things move very quickly. The day Adelle's Creperie opened, I didn't feel the sort of relief or sense of accomplishment that I expected. Instead, I was overwhelmed by the idea of how much more work there was to do. What I've come to realize is that taking the time to appreciate what you have done is an integral part of running a business. If you continue rushing forward without congratulating yourself on the work you've done, you'll burn out and miss out on the good things that make it all worth it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ask for help, and don't be scared to admit that you're not an expert in everything. Talk to others who are in the same field and try to learn as much as you can from them. Use all the resources you have at your disposal.
- Don't be shy about telling the people around you about your business! From family and friends to social media, get the word out about your business however you can. Be loud and proud about the work you are doing.
- Build setbacks into your plan. They will come, and you need to be prepared for them. It's important to not let them knock your confidence but rather use them as an opportunity to morph and grow in a new way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.adellescreperie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adellescreperie423
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adellescreperie423/
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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