Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Borysiewicz, owner of Ernie's Roadhouse, located in Cambridge, ON, Canada.

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

We are a restaurant located in the charming Hespeler Village in Cambridge. We specialize in scratch cooking and craft beer. Our extensive menu features a wide variety of local favourites, all made in-house by our Chef Rick Duffy and his team, including our award-winning Ernie's Burger, Famous Wings, and Craft Beer Battered Fish & Chips. Our 19 draft lines feature a well-rounded variety of local beers, including several rotational taps. Ernie's Roadhouse has been a Hespeler Institution since 1979, and we are proud to carry on the tradition of good food, tasty beer, and great service!

Tell us about yourself

I fell in love with the hospitality industry early. My passion for serving good food and beer to people has continued to grow since graduating from the University of Guelph Hospitality & Tourism program in 2006. When I purchased Ernie's Roadhouse in 2016, I knew I could do something special here. Creating a scratch menu takes a team of passionate people to do.

I definitely wouldn't be here without the support and talent of Chef Rick. Our menu is amazing - it truly has something for everyone. Our customers come back time and time again for their favourites. Introducing craft beer to the community was challenging but certainly rewarding. Creating a selection to satisfy a wide variety of consumers, finding local replacements for big brands, and understanding the ever-changing craft beer market motivates me every day. And it's making a difference in the greater community too. Personally knowing and developing friendships with craft beer owners and employees, you realize the tremendous impact your choices can make on others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Striking a balance between honouring and respecting the heritage and tradition of an established restaurant while making changes to the menu, beer selection, decor, etc., in order to satisfy a changing demographic and customer base.

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

Being ready for whatever the day throws at you, from surprise public health inspections, to an oven that won't start, to employees calling in sick, late delivery, computer problems, etc. You really have to be a jack of all trades. And no one cares if you need the day off. If your business isn't taking a day off, neither can you when problems arise.

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

  1. Stay true to your core values and goals of starting the business, but understand when you need to adapt and pivot.
  2. Self-care is important too. At the end of the day, no one will thank you for killing yourself for the sake of your business.
  3. It's a lonely place at the top. Be careful who you tell your secrets to, who you can trust, and who is just a wolf in sheep's clothing. Sometimes they are harder to spot than you expect.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

To say owning your own business is stressful would be an understatement, especially through a pandemic. But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Yesterday we opened our doors following a fourth lockdown. The excitement of having customers inside the building again was a good reminder of why I bought Ernie's Roadhouse in the first place!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.erniesroadhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erniesroadhouse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erniesroadhouse/

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.