Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Steven McCann, Owner of Cactus Canyon Ceramics, LLC., located in Terrebonne, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We sell premium quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from Spain. Our brand is "GringoCool" and can be found at our online store (gringocool.com), Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and other online buyers forums. Our customers come to us because they are interested in the zest of a premium quality EVOO and also the health benefits. And many of our customers are foodies that love to prepare and eat delicious food.
Tell us about yourself
I lived in Spain for 10 years. During that time, I learned to appreciate garlic, onions, and extra virgin olive oil (which is the foundation of the Mediterranean diet). On trips back to the States, I was always disappointed, saddened, and bewildered at the quality of "extra virgin olive oil" being sold and consumed in the United States. None of the store-bought EVOOs could hold a candle to any of the EVOO sold in Spain at the local level. So I decided to bottle, import and sell "the real deal" in the States. Thus GringoCool was born.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our company has been an Amazon seller since 2012. Much has changed in the e-commerce landscape, so an important accomplishment is that our brands are growing and our customers are satisfied.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the biggest challenges has been to grow our customer base at our online store. We take pride in our customer care, the quality of our products, and our shipping times. Still, many customers prefer to buy through online platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, and others.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Three tips I would give to blossoming online sellers are:
- Work for the man/woman (in other words yourself). Find and develop your own products and brand them! For me, selling other people's products leads to a downward spiral.
- Focus on your customers. Treat your customers as you would like to be treated. It is the safest way to grow a brand and a company.
- Grind. The race is long and arduous. Grind away at your pace. And always take the time to enjoy your friends and family along the way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://gringocool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GringoCool
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gringo.cool/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mccann-bb979725/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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