Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robyn Jackson, Owner of Cheese From Scratch, located in Quesnel, BC, Canada.

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

I run the business Cheese From Scratch. It is a business where I teach homesteaders how to turn their milk into cheese. This includes learning how to milk your own cow, learning how to fit cheesemaking into your life, and more. Through Cheese From Scratch, I sell a variety of digital products, including a monthly membership, courses, and eBooks.

Tell us about yourself

In early 2021 the end of my maternity leave for my third child was looming. I enjoyed staying home with my children so much, but financially we couldn't afford to not have me work. I started my business as a small blog but quickly diversified into course sales and marketing, mostly via Instagram. I was able to cut down my hours at the hospital, and now I mostly stay home with my children as a work-from-home mom. Being able to make my own schedule and be there for my family has really motivated me to keep at it each day. I also just love the work of it! It is something that really interests me, and I love that I get to share my passion with others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Growing an audience that is really excited about cheesemaking! I hear from people that never even thought of making cheese until they discovered my business and became inspired. It is so great to hear all these people getting excited about something I love and work really hard at.

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

Keeping at it when it's hard. It's not all rainbows when you own a business. Sometimes things flop, your energy is low, or you just wish you weren't doing what you are doing. The ability to keep at it, even when it is hard, is something that is really hard to do!

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

  1. Know that you are going to make mistakes, and that's ok! I still struggle with this, but there is no shame in needing to scrap something or step back. It's all in the name of moving forward!
  2. Don't try to do it all right away. When I first started, I looked at other people in the homesteading community that was killing it on all sorts of platforms. I thought, "I could do that too." The thing was, they were ten years in, and I was only 1! I spread myself too thin at one point trying to make YouTube videos, produce a podcast, write on my blog, and post to all the social sites. It was exhausting, and at some point, I just had to take a step back and focus my energy on the pieces that were actually making money.
  3. This is for digital product sales but starts low cost. When I started, I had no experience at all with building websites or creating content. I built my own website following a simple theme and by watching a ton of YouTube videos. I tried my best to keep everything as low-budget as I could until I was actually making money. I'm at the point now where I am able to outsource some stuff, but budgeting early on really helped me, not just with my pocketbook but with my skills. I learned to build a website and maintain it. I learned to do some basic graphic design. I like to think of my website as a brick-and-mortar building. If the power goes out and I need to flick the breaker, I know where the breaker box is.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.cheesefromscratch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheese_from_scratch_/

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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