Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danielle Arsenault, founder of Pachavega Living Foods Education, located in Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada.

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

Pachavega Living Foods Education was founded in 2013, almost ten years ago. My intention has always been to empower my students, clients, and followers to take their health and wellness into their own hands by making small, permanent lifestyle changes that will ultimately bring about abundant energy, healthy digestion, inner peace, and happiness. Pachavega is a Plant-based Culinary and Nutrition Academy that offers comprehensive Plant-Based Nutrition Courses and Raw Food Chef Certification courses - bridging the gap between healthy and delicious with the power of plants - both online and in person. I encourage you to reconnect with food, to build a healthy relationship with food, and to learn the nutrition elements within the food that support total body health. But most importantly, I teach you how to make healthy food taste delicious and show you the secrets to make it fun and easy!

Tell us about yourself

I have traveled all over the world and discovered isolated corners of over 25 countries. I've also lived in a van, minimalist and free. The one thing that prevails is seeking out the most nutrient-dense, clean food available to me. I've discovered first-hand the power of food, and now, I can't go back.

When I see people suffering from their health, I want to share the treasure chest of knowledge I've come to discover over the last decade to inspire and empower change. That it is possible, one step at a time, when you are ready to make the change, I will be right by your side! In 2011 a near-death rock climbing accident changed my relationship with the world and life as I knew it. I realized how blessed I was to be alive.

How now given a second chance, how did I truly want to live. I began fueling my body with mostly raw, living foods, juices, sprouts, seaweeds, fermented foods, lots and lots of raw veggies. After the accident, I found myself rapidly healing with no lingering pains whatsoever. It was this accident that sparked my passion for sharing this lifestyle with the world. I knew it was my calling to educate myself in depth about the healing power of whole foods and a healthy lifestyle and then pay it forward.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To still be here. After all the ups and downs, the self-doubt, the trials, and errors, I have not given up. Why? Because my why is firmly planted in the will to help others and therefore, what I do is bigger than me. It's for the service of humanity that we all learn the true power of food. The truth is, food can be a poison, aka. Artificial, barely edible food products or a medicine, such as a variety of organic rainbow-colored fruits and veggies. We get to choose. And wouldn't that be nice to make the medicine-food tasty too?

In just three short years, I've had over 300 students register online for my Raw Food Chef Certification courses and over 125 in-person. That's 425 souls I've been able to inspire. It's such a blessing to be trusted to share this knowledge with those who join me on the wild journey to become a Certified Raw Food Chef.

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

Two things actually, Marketing and Financial uncertainty. When the going gets tough, do not just throw in the towel. Also, there are many times I spend my days doing the exact things I don't like doing - administration, accounting, marketing, instead of being in the kitchen creating unique recipes to eat and share! As a solo business owner, I wear many hats, and I have to learn how to wear them all well. But then, of course, I have also to be able to delegate and pass on the work that I'm not the best at and have a contractor work her magic.

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

The first would be to collaborate. It's always fun to share the love, support other community members and grow something even bigger than you.

Second, learn to delegate and outsource. Find a virtual assistant to outsource the work that isn't your strength and leave it up to an expert. Try looking at fiverr.com and upwork.com.

Third, develop an online presence. Start using social media to share your passion for the world and begin to grow an email list. I like constant contact as an email service.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.pachavega.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pachavegaliving
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pachavega/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pachavega/

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.