Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emily Smith, plant supervisor at Eden Valley Creamery, located in South Dayton, NY, USA.

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

Eden Valley Creamery is an organic creamery in South Dayton, NY. We make hand-crafted artisan cheeses from single-source milk; our dairy is located just down the road from the creamery! The idea of the creamery was born from a desire to deliver high-quality, artisan cheese from our 100% certified organic milk. We want to give customers the opportunity to know the face behind the food on their plate. As a true farm-to-table business, our customers are those who believe food should be made with integrity from start to finish.

Tell us about yourself

As Plant Supervisor, my role at Eden Valley Creamery is to run the day-to-day operations at the plant and ensure the safety and compliance of our products. I work closely with the owners to plan the direction of the business and put the goals of the owners into action. Ultimately, I love being able to create a product for customers to enjoy and taking food from farm to table.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Eden Valley Creamery is a business designed to give people options to buy locally made products and be a positive force in our community. The greatest accomplishment is seeing people light up when they try your products. A satisfied customer is worth everything!

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

There are many hats to be worn when running a business!

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

  1. Never stop learning. Progress comes from continuously searching for new ways to do something and looking for how others have built on their successes. There is always something that can be improved upon!
  2. Be prepared for the amount of time, effort, and capital it takes to start a business before it really starts to take off.
  3. Think about why you are in business. What motivates you and inspires you. There will be challenges, but the positives should outweigh the negatives.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't let your failures discourage you from trying again! You can't win over every customer, but if you truly believe why you do business, customers will notice, and many will align with your mission.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.edenvalleycreamery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdenValleyCreamery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edenvalleycreamery/

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.