Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eric Gower, founder, and creative director of Breakaway Matcha, located in San Anselmo, CA, USA.

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

We source extreme quality green teas from Kyoto, Japan -- these are life-changing matcha!

Tell us about yourself

I lived in Japan for almost 20 years and became devoted to (and quite obsessed with) Japan's highest-quality matcha. Got to know some matcha connoisseurs and eventually met the farmers who grow it …. heaven! When I moved back to San Francisco, I missed them, so I began importing just for myself. I shared with chef friends, of course, and they wanted in! It was a short step from there to create an educational website and sell directly to consumers everywhere.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

All the emails I get telling me how this matcha has changed their lives.

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

Separating working on the business with the rest of life. It is very important not to let it consume you -- you need maximum rest and restoration to create a great business … make sure you get it!

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

  1. Just start! Don't overthink it. You'll figure it out as you go.
  2. Have fun with it!
  3. Learn from Twitter - there are experts everywhere there who LOVE to share.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Try dropping coffee for a week and replacing it with good matcha -- you'll thank me later!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://breakawaymatcha.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakawaymatcha
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakawaymatcha/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/breakawaymatcha
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breakawaymatcha/

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.