Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tyler Quon, co-founder of Cheffin it, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We started our business during the beginning of COVID. At first, we wanted to offer people a safe, contact-less way to get fresh gourmet meals delivered to their front door or office supplied by a local small business. As time went on and people adjusted to the pandemic, we branched out. We started offering Customized Catering and Private Chef experiences for our clients. Now we also offer Takeout/Delivery on Skipthedishes, Doordash, and Ubereats.
We would like to think our customers are true foodies. People that enjoy fresh, great-tasting meals that are made with love from scratch. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality products and supporting and using local businesses, especially during these hard times.
Tell us about yourself
Pre-COVID Chef Mark and I (Chef Tyler) were both fully wrapped up in running corporate kitchens. Chef Mark was in charge of BMO field Executive Suites. I oversaw a flagship restaurant for a corporate company while also helping them with training and opening new stores.
When COVID hit, everything we knew was taken away from us. The hospitality industry was crippled. The long hours and excitement of the kitchen were gone. Being Chefs, both Mark and I could not sit at home and just wait around, so we decided to put our talents together and start Cheffin it.
I think what motivates both of us to do what we do each day is that we now have our own platform where we can show, create and share our talent and passion for food with others. Food is the universal language of the world, and being Chefs we can always continue to learn and get better at trying to perfect our craft.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment of being a business owner is actually stepping outside your comfort area and starting your own business from scratch. Just to wake up every day and stay motivated is an accomplishment in itself, especially during these difficult times for everyone.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner and a new business owner at that other than financial stability is just to keep pushing forward every day. There will be amazing days and days that you just want to put behind you, and although some days you may feel like you want to give up, success comes with hard work and perseverance. That is probably the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a strong business plan that has a clear vision and goals.
- Always be open-minded and willing to change and adjust to current trends and your clients.
- Keep track of your financials, especially when starting out, because start-up and recurring costs can add up very quickly.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
The past few years have been very difficult for everyone. From small businesses, parents, students, and just the local communities in general, we have all been affected by COVID -19. We can all make it together if everyone continues to stay positive and support your local small businesses in and around your neighborhood.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cheffinit.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheffinit.ca/
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.