Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Duncan Henry, owner of DH Custom Sausage, located in Rimbey, AB, Canada.

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

What we hope to do is bring your friends and family to your dinner table. My wife and I grew up in family-oriented homes and hope that our products give friends and family another reason to get together. We create pork and beef products such as fresh sausages, smoked sausages, steaks, roasts, jerky, smoked briskets, and other specialty meats. We also cut and wrap pigs for local farmers in Central Alberta and wild process game for the local hunters in the fall.

We are currently working on lifting the veil surrounding sausage by making YouTube videos for each of our products and how they're made in-store. https://youtube.com/channel/UC7PFCXGTBtEEVPHjNM6FsWA

Tell us about yourself

It's been in the cards since I was a young boy. My mom tells the story now that at only four years old, when I saw my uncle and Dad butchering the family cow on my uncle's farm, I turned to her and said, "Mom, when I grow up, I have to be a butcher." So I did. I still love the industry, find new things to learn and find satisfaction in knowing that I keep people fed.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm not sure if a single big accomplishment stands out. I think a successful business is built on many small achievements that you do over and over again. We will be celebrating our 5th year in business this March, though. So as a universal standard for the industry, I think that may be our biggest accomplishment.

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

You can have anything in life, but you can't have everything. The hardest thing is understanding that. You are going to have to come to terms with and be willing to make some sacrifices to keep a business alive. Whatever that might be for you. Maybe no weekend party, perhaps no Netflix series, maybe no extra spending cash until your business is up on its feet. There will be sacrifice, though.

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

  1. Find somebody who is successful in business and get their guidance. It may be awkward to ask for help, but if you can find someone willing to guide you and get the results you want, they can exponentially increase your chances of success. They may have made painful mistakes that they managed to survive through. If you can get their wisdom and avoid that pain and build the successful habits you need, then you'll be miles ahead.
  2. Don't quit. When I was first getting into business, all sorts of people (friends, colleagues, family members - you name it - reminded me of the statistics. 4/5 businesses fail in the 1st five years. I've thought about that lot because it bugged me. I don't think that is right because companies don't fail, they change and adapt, but they don't fail. People do. People quit. There are successful versions of every failed business out there. The difference is that the person didn't quit in a successful business. They persisted.
  3. Avoid debt. In the early stages, you are going to have to be resourceful. You may need to invent the equipment you need. You may have to buy used, inefficient equipment and work longer. But over time, the small amount of revenue you build will let you buy the next "thing," whatever that is. Pay in full, and this takes so much weight off you and your business and allows you to have options when making your plans down the road.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Despite all the work and struggle, it is worth it. The community you will become a part of, and the opportunities that will come to you are worth it. Don't start because you're afraid of failing. You will fail, so persist through, and you'll be a more resilient person for it. Good luck!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dhcustomsausage.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DHCustomSausage/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhcustomsausage/

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.