Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Damian Goriup, co-owner of Florence Meats, located in Oakville, ON, Canada.

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

Florence Meats is a second-generation family business celebrating 45 years in the Oakville community. As a boutique butcher shop, we specialize in local dry-aged beef, in-house smoked meats and poultry, and a wide range of premium products. We operate a small freestanding meat plant in Oakville that allows us to source mainly from Southern Ontario farms - some of the best in the world. We take pride in the exceptional quality of our products and personalized approach to customer service, and we were honoured to receive the 2017 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. I was named Ontario's Finest Butcher for 2017, believe in marrying tradition with innovation. Me and my wife Carol keep a keen eye on the evolving consumer tastes and trends happening in Canada as well as other parts of the world. One of the best-selling products we make is biltong, based on the original recipe developed by Florence Meats founder Mario Goriup (my father) while working in South Africa in the early 1970s.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up, I've worked alongside my dad doing various jobs to assist my family in running the business. After moving to Canada from SA, I  pursued a career in Mechanical Engineering. It was at this time that I recognized that my true passion was in the butchery business. I made the switch and never looked back. Working alongside my father, learning the trade, and my continued love for food made it an easy decision. Today, motivation to continue the business is easy. With the history of my parents behind me, my passion for enjoying and sharing good food, and my pride in watching my son learn the trade is all the job satisfaction I need.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I had many accomplishments over the years. Being recognized by your peers in the industry for producing exceptional products, being recognized as Ontario's Finest Butcher by the meat industry, being recognized by the Town for your company's business excellence, employing and maintaining key staff members to run your business have all been highlights of his career, however, being able to grow a business that my parents have worked so hard to establish is probably the key accomplishment that makes him the proudest.

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

As a business owner, I wear many hats. Regulations in the meat industry are stringent and ever-changing. Keeping up is difficult but a necessity to keep food safety a priority.

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

  1. Believe in yourself.
  2. Quality and Service above all
  3. Differentiate yourself from others with at least one unique product.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Have fun! Build relationships and friendships

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.florencemeats.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flomeats/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_butcherdamian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_butcherdamian
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-goriup-44b99458/

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.