Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Zdenka Forst, president of Akuna, located in Mississauga, ON, Canada.

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

In 1999, I started a company called Akuna. We are a Canadian manufacturer and worldwide distributor of premium liquid supplements and natural health products. We strive to supply customers with products that are highly effective and of exceptional quality, which is why we specialize in liquid products and supplements. Nutrients in liquid form have a much higher rate of absorption than, for example, capsules or pills. They are also more bioavailable to the body.

Tell us about yourself

Many years ago, I became interested in the benefits of natural health products and supplements. Being a mother of three, I wanted to ensure that my family was getting the best nutrition. This eventually led me to open Akuna and focus on producing quality nutritional supplements at affordable prices for not only my own but every family. This vision is what continues to motivate me every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am very proud of what Akuna has achieved over the past two decades. We created a successful line of natural health products and premium liquid supplements manufactured right here in Canada that improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world. We supply customers all over North America, Europe, and even as far as Asia.

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

Dealing with unexpected issues, COVID is a perfect example. Nobody saw that coming, and it affected everything from finding employees to supply chain issues. There is no way to predict every potential pitfall, but if you are flexible and creative, you can find solutions.

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

  1. Listen, listen, listen – we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason! You’ll learn a lot more by listening than talking. But, just make sure you are listening to the right people. Seek out those with expertise and experience in a relevant field.
  2. Surround yourself with good people who will contribute to your success. Recognize those contributions and reward them accordingly. Showing your appreciation and that you value someone’s effort is a great motivator for team members and will always get you positive results. Constant criticizing and threats foster animosity and resentment and do nothing to further your cause.
  3. Learn to delegate responsibilities and learn from your mistakes. Business owners who try to micro-manage every aspect of their operation create an atmosphere of chaos and confusion and undermine your team. If a strategy doesn’t work, take notes! Don’t waste time blaming others
    come up with a new plan.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Take care of your body and your health because our overall wellbeing affects every aspect of our lives, including our successes in everything we tackle.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.akunacanada.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akunaca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akuna.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/myakuna
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/akuna-health-products-inc-/

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.