Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Liz Halagah, founder of Alphonsas Gourmet Inc., located in Ajax, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Alphonsas gourmet is a family-owned, small artisan local condiment company. We make small batches of homemade sauces. We strive to make our products with natural ingredients and no preservatives, as well as gluten-free. We source our ingredients ethically from local Ontario farmers in the growing season. We believe that good food brings the family together.
Our planet's health is very important to us for future generations to leave breathable air and fertile soil. We practice conscious choices to support small local farmers to acquire the ingredients to make our products and for personal consumption.
Most of our customers are from farmer's markets. Our customers know our products are made with quality natural real ingredients. Also, we do not compromise the taste of our products. We have had our loyal customers in Mississauga for many years.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Liz Halagah, and I live in Ajax, Ontario. I worked as a chef for many years in Toronto. Our family is consists of Europeans, Middle Eastern, and East Asians. You can see this influence in our products. As part of a multicultural family, I believe that food brings us together, and we express our culture through it.
How I started my business is accidental. Yes, no one starts a business accidentally. I entered a charity event in 2011 called Soupalicious Toronto. But little that I didn't know was that it had to be backed by a restaurant business. I have approached the restaurant owner to sponsor me for Soupalicious. He declined my request. My heart was settled on doing this worthy cause event for compost Canada and my passion for the environment.
I shared my disappointment with my daughter; she came up with the idea to register a business as my own and to do the event. So that is just what we did. I continue to work in the restaurant, hoping I can slowly invest in the business with the job I had to create products and developments. The little that I know restaurant claimed bankruptcy operating 32 years after three weeks of opening my business.
That day I decided I would never work for anyone but for myself. The first market we joined was Square One Lions Farmers Market in 2013. Farmers Markets has become our small community family. This leaves us more freedom for more time for family. We feel like we belong to the Farmers Market community. Living simply with integrity!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was that I could support my family in different stages in their lives with my business, and I had more time available to spend with them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part was that I had to learn how to run the food business with all the compliance and regulations. Marketing and sales!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Follow the passion, take risks, and Be persistent!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Farmers' markets are not easy, but it is full filling for us. To me, simple living with integrity.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.alphonsas.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alphonsasgourmet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphonsasgourmet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alphonsas_Liz
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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