Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hany ElDiwany, founder and CEO of Hany's Harvest Inc., located in Catskill, NY, USA.

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

We craft small-batch tonics using whole food ingredients that deliciously promote wellness. We also manage beehives and harvest raw honey.

Tell us about yourself

I first got started working on the business after being inspired by a recipe for fire cider back in 2013. After experiencing the benefits and seeing how versatile it was in food and drink, I started making bigger and bigger batches until the company was ultimately formed. The most gratifying thing is getting a heartfelt thank you from a customer who uses our products.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We have a brand to be proud of. And I've learned so much along the way.

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

There is no user manual for what we're doing, so we've had to learn on the go, often by making mistakes. Also, consumer-packaged foods is an incredibly challenging industry because we have to go up against national corporations with far greater resources. We can't compete with them on price, so we have to offer added value with our products. We don't have the same marketing power they do to deliver our message.

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

  1. Make sure you have passion for what you're looking to offer. Startups can be very tough and can take years to realize a profit or even a living wage. Some days, the only thing that might keep you going is a love for what you're building.
  2. Find a mentor that's been down that road before. There is no substitute for experience, and it can mean the difference between informed choices and costly, even fatal, mistakes. There are many organizations within each industry for networking and sharing resources.
  3. Invest in your image as a company. There are a bazillion startups out there, and the competition is fierce. When you have strong branding, you're far more likely to be taken seriously than if your logo looks like it was done on your home computer.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Outsourcing good contractors (i.e., graphic designers, website developers, etc...) does not have to be an extravagant expense but pinching pennies at the expense of hiring capable persons has never served us well. The job often has to be redone, resulting in lost time, money, and sales potential instead of doing it right from the start.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://hanysharvest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hanysharvest/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanysharvest/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hanysharvest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanys-harvest-inc/

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.