Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jasmine Byrne, president of Big Mountain Foods, located in Delta, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Big Mountain Foods is a women-owned and operated plant-based food brand based in British Columbia. We're all about making amazing food that tastes good. Food with no additives, substitutes, and names you can't pronounce. That is unless your mouth is full.
Although our products are vegan, we'd like to say that our customers are all food lovers! We're a healthy option that many have tried and loved over the years for our simple approach to making food.
We've also taken a very sustainable approach with our company and manufacturing practices, focusing on responsible sourcing, sustainable operations, supporting the community, and empowering people.
Tell us about yourself
I officially joined the company in 2012, having finished my degree in Business Management at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. My mom established the business in 1987 (the year I was born), and I grew up helping out the business in any way I could. Having seen my mom's hard work and dedication, I was motivated to grow and achieve her vision and naturally joined the company.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been the growth of Big Mountain Foods to the company it is today. We've grown tremendously, especially in the last two years, and we can't wait for what's in store in the near future.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is the constant challenges that come with the day-to-day operations on top of the larger business decisions that need to be made. These challenges, from an external perspective, may wear you down in the long run, so finding the right balance between the different aspects maybe what could make or break the success of your business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Starting a business comes from a viable idea, but more importantly, an idea you're passionate about. Companies go through a lot of low points and challenges, as you might already know, but having the passion for it just gives you all the drive to push through all that to achieve success for the venture.
- Once you get to a certain point when running a business, you learn that it's more than just about making a profit. You learn to value the people that work with you even more. It helps keep everyone genuinely happy and positive, in turn creating a conducive work environment and atmosphere.
- Growing and scaling a business is a culmination of hundreds, if not thousands, of small improvements and changes to the operations and company itself that, when done right, positively impacts the business as a whole. Everything from hiring the right people, making changes to some internal process, and more, are some steps that might seem small, but when combined overall grows your business as a whole.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://bigmountainfoods.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigmountainfoods
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmountainfoods/
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.