Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jen Schachtebeck, owner of Coffee and Clothing, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Coffee and Clothing is a shop in Toronto that sells just that—coffee and clothing. We roast all of our beans in-house and source clothing from the 1940s-1990s from all over the world. We have two retail locations, open to anyone and everyone who appreciates quality, well-made goods and the story behind the things we sell. We strive to be more than just a retail space, though, and opened with the idea that we'd be a place that served as a hub, focused on community involvement and showcasing local artists, makers, creatives, and people through various workshops, events, pop-ups, and residencies.

Tell us about yourself

I lived and worked in San Francisco and Oakland, CA, where I worked in the retail industry at both the store and corporate levels. My love for fashion and design is not only fueled by the places I've traveled to and lived but by the creative work and people that surrounded me throughout my career. I've always been a thrifter and vintage lover, frequenting local estate sales, working vintage markets, and shopping through secondhand shops in search of unique and timeless pieces for my own collection. Owning a shop of my own to share my love and appreciation for vintage clothing and its history has always been my dream.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Opening successful brick and mortars that have become places for people to gather, hang out, drink good coffee, and appreciate quality vintage. I'm so proud of the community we've created around the shop, and that is what it's all about, after all—bringing people together.

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

That it's all YOU; being a business owner is so fulfilling, and it's definitely true when they say that work isn't work when you do what you love—I'm so lucky to be able to say this. But when your success depends solely on you and your ideas, it gets pretty tiring from time to time. You really need to be willing to put the work in and commit your life to it. Working hard is a must, but slowing down to rest and appreciate where you are is important too.

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

  1. Believe and trust in yourself, your product, and your ideas, and always stay true to that. It's so easy to get down on yourself and compare yourself to others—don't let what they're doing distract you. Your business is all you, so realize that motivation has to come from within yourself, and if you really want it to happen, make it happen.
  2. Social media (Instagram and TikTok specifically for us) has been an amazing tool for making connections and building relationships with people who we've later partnered with and learned from. It's also a great place to show your product off—and yourself! People love to see the people behind the shop. Bring yourself and your personality to it.
  3. Think outside the box. You're finding yourself at a standstill and aren't really growing with the product you're showing? Maybe partner up with other related small businesses to do a giveaway or some other type of promo or participate in local markets in your area. Always keep thinking of different ways to get eyes on your business to bring in new clientele.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.coffeeandclothing.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeeandclothingto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandclothing/

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.