Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ivan Marenco, owner of ART Kombucha, located in Montréal, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are the first company in Canada to produce real hard kombucha, made with 100% of kombucha. We started in 2019 in Montreal and we are still at the beginning!
We wanted to create a product that will be the ideal mix between well-being and fun, that's why we thought of brewing hard kombuchas (5% abv). Furthermore, they are gluten and sugar-free, light on the stomach, and contain organic acids and antioxidants. Because it's brewed with black and green tea, this beverage gives you a little punch to enjoy the festivities.
Our customers are people who already know what kombucha is or people who want to consume less but better-for-you alcohol.
Tell us about yourself
I was working in the kombucha industry and I realized that most kombucha companies work hard to limit alcohol production during the process of fermentation. We asked ourselves ‘’why not take advantage of kombucha’s festive potential”?
So we worked hard to create the first recipes in 2019!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is to have been able to develop a new brand and a new type of beverage, that complies with the complex Canadian regulations for alcoholic beverages. All of this during a pandemic!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I would say keeping faith despite all the obstacles and de defeats that you meet. That's why you need to be surrounded by the right people. My trick is to always see the good side of things and to take the defeats as a good lesson.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. If you believe in it and have a good level of motivation, it's 50% of what you need.
2. Find the right people to help and support you.
3. You will need money :)
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/artkombucha/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-kombucha/
https://www.facebook.com/artkombucha
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.
