Taste the Love and Hard Work

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Deborah Ntawigirira, CEO of Izere Coffee, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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

Izere coffee is a company I co-founded with my mother in order to bring in specialty coffee (Burundi) from coffee coops. Like me, it’s a Canadian and Burundian company. As reflected in the brand’s name, Izere is founded on the values of hope and faith, traits that exemplify the strong spirit of resilience and optimism of the local people. We make it a point to treat every actor of the value chain with dignity and consideration.

We put significant emphasis, through different processes, on the quality of our product. We believe that our coffee should speak for itself. We are cognizant of the importance of ensuring that every actor on the value chain has a strong sense of ownership. From the small farmer in the hills to the final consumer, we would like to create a close-knit faithful community that is invested in and shares the success of Izere. Izere coffee customers are coffee roasters, grocery shops, coffee shops, Beer breweries, Chocolatier, and online customers.

Tell us about yourself

Being able to consume and/or distribute high-quality coffee, being able to be a part of a direct trade movement, and traveling via a cup of ZERE Coffee.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We make it a point to treat every actor of the value chain with dignity and consideration. We put significant emphasis, through different processes, on the quality of our product. We believe that our coffee should speak for itself. We are cognizant of the importance of ensuring that every actor on the value chain has a strong sense of ownership.

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

One of the hardest things to face as a business owner is solitude when you are not surrounded by other entrepreneurs that can relate.

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

Be sure to create, run and grow a business that you are passionate about.
Seek help when needed.
Never lose sight of the vision you had when you started the business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://izerecoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/izerecoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izerecoffee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/izere-coffee/

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.