Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in Food & Beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hannah Hendrickson, owner and founder of Han's Kombucha, located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Han’s Kombucha is a woman founded and led business located in the heart of Salt Lake City. We brew kombucha, a sparkling probiotic beverage made with tea, cane sugar, and a SCOBY (which stands for Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). Kombucha’s claim to fame are its wonderful health benefits which include boosting your immune system, powerful antioxidant properties for the body, and may also help reduce stress. What sets Han’s apart from the other kombucha on the market is that we use clean ingredients, the final product is low in sugar, and it is gently fermented (no harsh vinegary taste).
We tastefully package our “booch” and sell it to coffee shops, restaurants, small markets both in and out of the state of Utah.
Tell us about yourself
Han's Kombucha started with a love of kombucha and a desire to share the healthy goodness with my community. I ( Han) started brewing kombucha in my college dorm room. As my prized SCOBY grew, I began sharing my brew with friends. And those friends shared it with their friends. Soon, I realized this was a wonderful way to apply my U of U Public Health degree in order to benefit the community in a meaningful and positive way.
In November of 2018, I sold my very first booch batch to a local tea shop. My entrepreneurial spirit and passion for my probiotic packed product has allowed Han’s Kombucha to grow throughout Salt Lake City and beyond.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been getting to where I am today with the age and experience I began the business with. Starting a passion project business at the age of 23 with zero entrepreneurial background, let alone no food & beverage experience was definitely one the most difficult things I have ever done. While my parents were very supportive, they were also extremely cautious. With my mom being an accountant and my dad a financial advisor, they made sure I knew that becoming an entrepreneur was not an easy road and can often be financially straining.
But I knew that I wanted to do something for myself and my community, no matter what it took. With my commitment and drive to this, I was able to brew a kombucha that was healthy but also tasted delicious. I managed to get it into the hands of fellow small business owners and after one sip, they were hooked. Word began to spread and more and more shops continued to pick up Han’s Kombucha. And since that first year it has taken off and I haven't looked back.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest parts that comes with being a business owner is making sure that you keep your passion, your passion and not just your job. Keeping the reason you started the business and the excitement that came along with that at the forefront of your day rather than getting caught up in the day to day difficulties of running a business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do it.
It will be very very hard but very worth it.
Don't sell yourself short. Your product or service is worth more than you think.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/hanskombucha/
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.
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