Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cassandra Greco, Owner of Caffeine and Legends, located in Ashburn, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Caffeine and Legends started out of a love of lesser-known authors and a strong interest in supporting small and women-owned businesses. I am the type to stay up all night reading, then need a little extra boost of caffeine the next day. And thus, I had the name for a box I had dreamed about for so long: Caffeine & Legends. It's a monthly subscription book box for caffeine-loving adult fantasy readers. Many of the coffees, teas, drinking chocolates, and bonus items that are included in the monthly boxes are sourced from small businesses that have sustainable packaging, giveback programs, or are minority-owned.
Tell us about yourself
With a master's in Sustainability, I knew I wanted to do something different with this business. After working in other industries that seemed to push new products that were out of fashion in just a few short years (and a dislike for things that lead to clutter), running a company where each item was thoughtfully selected was important to me. Caffeine and Legends is still a very small business, but it's something I appreciate because it means I can still give this box the attention to detail that I'd like. For example, I design a new custom packing tape almost every month. It's always related to the theme, but unlike regular tape, it is fully recyclable.
We also try to pick or design bonus items for the box that are useful, everyday items. Every detail is intentional, and I think that is something our customers have come to appreciate, which makes it that much more rewarding.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting on the USA Today's best subscription boxes list in our second year in business! I'm not sure how they found us, but it was really amazing to have been nominated and then to have our subscribers care enough to keep voting and to share to make sure we got on that list. We had to be voted in and were up against other boxes with HUGE audiences. It was the first real glimpse into how well received our boxes are, and it meant so much to have the support of our customers. That's when we knew we were doing something right.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Never really got the chance to disconnect. I'm one person running this business with the help of a few really amazing friends. I've had to become a master of many things, like advertising, customer service, content creating, product curation, fulfillment, website management, and so much more. In a time when everything lives and dies by the internet, having to constantly be connected has been the hardest.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Make a schedule, ask for help, and never be afraid to try new things! I'm constantly listening to customer feedback and making changes. I fully believe that when businesses get stuck in one way of doing things, is when things can get stale. I like to ask what our customers want to see next and then actively work to get there.. even if it takes a little bit of time, trial and error.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://legendarybox.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caffeineandlegendsbox/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caffeineandlegends/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/caffeinelegends
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
