Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kyle Hollenbeck, co-owner of Aioli Gourmet Burgers, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am Co-Owner of Aioli Gourmet Burgers and Catering. We started the business in 2014 with one food truck and have been able to grow it into Ten trucks across five brands, three restaurants, and now Shared Kitchens called Blt Kitchens, where we help small businesses get started. Our customers are typically Burger enthusiasts. We offer a unique Aioli sauce on every one of our Chef Tom inspired Burgers. Chef Tom is my business partner and Food Network Chopped Champion!

Tell us about yourself

I started this business with Tommy and one other person who has since left the business. We started by thinking we would get to our second truck in a few years, but within eight months, I had to quit my full-time job to focus on the business. I had a sales background and worked for Yelp and Livingsocial before we started this business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

When we bought our first commercial kitchen and grew Blt Kitchens, is pretty awesome. I love growing what we have built, and now that we have a second location and looking for a third, it makes it seem like we have really done something amazing.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Employees. Not that they are hard, but keeping, motivating, and hiring them can be tough. We are so invested in this, and they punch out and go home to their families. We, as business owners, never punch out, and managing the expectations of what an employee is willing to take on is super important.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Pick your partner wisely. Doing it on your own is so much harder, but the wrong partner can be just as bad. Layout roles and responsibilities and follow up every six months. I can't tell you how many times my business partners and I say, " I thought you were handling that." Write a business plan. It can be simple or detailed but have a plan.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

This, too, shall pass. The hard times in business, the loss of revenue, the employee who quits on you. This, too, shall pass. The success, closed deal, high from a great event. This, too, shall pass. If anything, you just need to pause and enjoy the moment.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.aioliburger.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aioligourmet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aioligourmetburger/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aioliburgers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-hollenbeck-09bb6121/

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.