Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Pekarik, owner of Courageous Bakery & Cafe, located in Elmhurst, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a from-scratch bakery & cafe specializing in cupcakes - which is where we got our start! But we have so much to offer like espresso drinks, breakfast, lunch and pastries too. We pride ourselves on our uplifting space and cheerful team to help you during your visit with us.
Tell us about yourself
I started my business after being inspired by my sister Kathryn's battle with cancer. I took a year off from my cubicle job to help care for her and spend time with her during her treatments. During that year, we baked a lot to help keep our minds off the reality of what she was going through. We rediscovered our love of childhood baking. In my free time, I started a business plan and researched the food truck scene in Chicago. Cupcakes were our favorite thing to bake (so many possible flavor combinations!), and a cupcake food truck seemed like a great idea. So...at the brink of the end of her treatments, I took some time to evaluate what I really wanted to do for my career and my future. Being faced with my sister's illness, seeing what she went through, how life is so precious, it really made me consider what made me happy. We spend so much of our time on 'work,' and baking cupcakes at work sounded like fun! Well, I did buy the food truck, and it is a lot of fun - but definitely also a lot of work - hahaha! But I have fun at work so many times it doesn't feel like work. I am motivated by making people happy. Baking and cooking is a joy for people not only because it's fun, but it's the time that our guests can sit back, relax and just enjoy and not worry about grocery shopping or cleaning up. I love our regular guests that come in many times per week because it's "their time" for themselves or with their families. It feels amazing that at Courageous, we make this mark on their lives.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This may seem small, but last year an employee wrote her college acceptance letter about her experience working for Courageous and working for me. I was so honored that we positively impacted a young woman's life that she chose to write about it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is balancing the responsibilities that I currently hold and knowing when I've reached the point of overflowing. Knowing when it's time to develop a new position and hire for it to help us grow as a team and not be overwhelmed. I have been in business for over ten years and went from just me and one person to, at times, close to 50 employees. I still struggle with this today. I love what I do so much; letting go is hard.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Never give up.
- Keep It Simple Silly.
- Today's struggle is tomorrow's strength.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ordercourageous.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourageousBakeryCafeOakPark/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courageousbakery/
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.