Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in subscription services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daria Polenova, co-founder of Cub Pantry, a monthly curated box of nutritious snacks for babies, toddlers, and kids based out of Denver, Colorado.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Cub Pantry is a healthy snack box for babies, toddlers, and kids. Each box is curated based on your child's age and dietary preferences. We scour hundreds of brands every month and choose the best tasting, low-sugar, healthier snack options for your little ones.
Tell us about yourself
I started Cub Pantry out of my own personal need as a mom of a very picky 3-year-old. Let's be honest, toddlers are huge snackers, and it's important to me that my daughter gets her nutrition and develops healthier eating habits even while snacking. Many food products for children at your local grocery stores use toxic ingredients, lots of added sugars, fats, and salt. However, there is a whole world of healthier food brand alternatives (usually started by fellow parents) that most of us don't know about/have access to.
I first began curating snack boxes for myself and my parent friends because it was the easiest way for us to all try new snacks with our kiddos without wasting money on buying in bulk. Soon the Cub Pantry box became so popular I had to start offering it nationwide. Our customers love the boxes because we can all identify with the need, want to feed our kids better but not always have a solution to do so.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is making other parents' lives easier. Being a parent is so hard in so many ways and being able to simplify some of these hurdles for other parents has been a truly humbling experience.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is to keep going. Some days will be amazing, and some days will be incredibly difficult. It takes a lot of passion and hard work to remember why you have started your business and why it's important to carry on.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Having a partner is one of the most helpful things you can have as a business owner. If you are a solopreneur, make sure to have a great support system.
- Talk to your customers. The best research you can do is talk to people you are selling to. We all have our own ideas of what we think our product does for our customers, but sitting down and really understanding your customer's pain points can make a good product life-changing.
- Don't be afraid to fail. Most people don't even go as far as making their website live. The fact that you've done anything is an accomplishment and should be celebrated.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cubpantry.com/
Instagram: @cubpantry
Facebook: @cubpantry
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.
