Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ella Jesmajian, co-founder of Honey and Roses Coffee, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We’re Honey and Roses Coffee. An online craft coffee company owned by actor Ryan Hansen. When we first started out as a website where one could purchase sustainably and ethically sourced craft coffee and nothing more. But over time, we morphed into so much more. We have a line of eco-friendly coffee accessories and a sister brand, Over The Spoon Cutlery, offering homemade brass spoons. Our website also offers some freshly baked sweets to enjoy alongside your morning cup.
Tell us about yourself
I am the co-founder of Honey and Roses and the lead content creator and photographer. Honey & Roses was born from a problem we were personally facing — finding a great coffee nearby to where we lived. Exceptional coffee wasn’t easily accessible to us at the time, and unless you were driving to a coffee roaster, there weren’t many options. We both lived in upstate New York and were driving long distances just to find amazing coffee. In fact, I was driving 45 minutes to Queens every other week just to get a few bags of my favorite coffee.
We found ourselves commiserating about our problem, and suddenly, the idea was born. We wanted to offer amazing craft coffee, roasted fresh to order and delivered straight to your door, without the hassle of going to a store. We also felt that we wanted to offer more than just delicious coffee. So we launched a line of eco-friendly coffee accessories to bring more amazing coffee essentials into the home.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Hosting a pop-up event in LA with our business partner Ryan Hansen! It was a fun way to launch our new partnership and get to know our customers on the ground. It was one of the proudest moments I have had as an entrepreneur.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having the motivation to work when no one else is making you, and you have no official deadline. You have to be motivated, even when you feel discouraged. You have to have the self-discipline to create a schedule and stick to it. You have to be passionate about what you’re doing, as passion is the fuel behind your work ethic. You have to be flexible and adaptable, as things are constantly changing.
Lastly, you have to love the hustle. There is no magic formula. It’s going to take a lot of work, consistency, dedication, and luck. For some, it might seem daunting, and maybe it’s not for everyone. But seeing your company grow and overcoming the inevitable challenges are the most rewarding and fulfilling feelings to have as a founder.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Keep pushing yourself. We are capable of so much more than we realize. There are always obstacles, but it’s important to keep pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Don’t be a perfectionist and get started. If you are constantly trying to get the perfect ad, product, and website, you will never move forward. Get something out to the market and allow your customers to guide you as you innovate, refine and scale your product.
Get comfortable with “failures” along the way. This is always easier said than done, but failures help us grow and evolve. Risk and failures are necessary when founding a new business. If you never take a risk, you will never unlock your product’s full potential.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://honeyandrosescoffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyandrosescoffee/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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