Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Louis Bui, owner of Broyé Cafe, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

At Broyé, we strive to build a unique café and bakery chain with a cozy, green, but modern hangout space for our lovely local communities. Throughout our journey to fulfill our dreams, we have spent much time learning and experimenting with different foods to ensure that our final products are the best they can be. We found that Japanese sweets and Vietnamese coffee are great inspirations for us.

Vietnamese coffee has gained worldwide fame for its one-of-a-kind distinctive flavour and irresistible aroma. It's no surprise that it ranks as the world's second-largest coffee exporter. We'd love to bring you Vietnam's coffee-drinking culture and its mouthwatering taste that will surely satisfy your taste buds. And of course, coffee is not complete without good sweets.

Sweets from Japan are known for their lightness and uniqueness. We were very fortunate to discover Japanese chef Hitomi Syvertsen's café, Baker and Table, and learn the secrets to making the most delicious cakes & unique melon pans that customers have enjoyed for years. With our passion and commitment, we have mastered those recipes and continue to be supported by customers.

The perfect combination between Japanese sweets and Vietnamese coffee will make those moments with your friends and family even more enjoyable.

Tell us about yourself

I have many years of experience working as an Account Manager at Coca-Cola Vietnam. Regularly working with partners in restaurants or cafes has inspired me to build my dream. When my family moved to Canada, I left behind my successful job in a large corporation and started making my dream.

I dived to find out what the locals love, especially young people. I wanted to create a place where people can feel like they visit a coffee farm and enjoy a delicious coffee by it. They can taste its freshness to the most. Luckily, I found Artist Fiona Tang, a well-known 3D painter who has created our beautiful Broyé coffee field. And in the sky of the field, you will see 1000 flying cranes, a symbol of good luck in Asia. We wish every customer who comes to our place all the good lucks.

My daily joy is creating new, unique products for our lovely customers. Seeing them enjoy delicious foods in our beautiful coffee shop and having amazing photos with friends or family is my happiness.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We have gained many more new customers and received all the sincere good feedback that motivates us to continue growing our business. We are planning to open the second store soon in the near future.

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

I think the fact that everything will be on your shoulder would be agreed by all business owners 😊. However, it should not be a problem if you have a good overview of your operation and good team members.

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

First, make sure you have a great passion for what you want to do. This is very critical. Never lose it.

Secondly, do proper research and thoroughly understand your customer's insights, then build a short, long-term, and backup plan.

Last but not least, always keep up your customer's satisfaction by continuing to understand their unmet needs and fulfill them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Doing business these days is not easy, but as long as you have your dream and great vision that looks up to the local communities' benefits, It will bring you all the good outcomes.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.broyecafe.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bakerandtablecafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakerandtablecafe/

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.