Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maggie Pajak, co-owner of Jane's Tea House, located in Haddon Heights, NJ, USA.

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

Jane's Tea House is a small, first-time female/military/family-owned and operated tea house located in Haddon Heights, NJ. We are reinventing tea time with a modern spin on the afternoon tea experience. Whether you are looking to enjoy an afternoon with friends or family, bring your children or grandkids to experience afternoon tea for the first time, or planning a baby shower, bridal shower, or other special events, Jane's Tea House provides a memorable experience with a delicious tea service menu.

You can select your scone from our menu of 7 sweet and savory flavors, including lemon blueberry and cheddar bacon. You also get your own pot of tea, as well as your own 2-tier plate and dessert plate. Undecided on a tea? You can taste test 3 teas from our 30+tea menu by adding a flight of tea to your experience.

FUN FACT: We have a selfie station where our guests can use our props, take photos and have them sent instantly to their phone or email.

Tell us about yourself

Founded by my sister Jenny Bellizia and me with our husbands. Jane's Tea House is named after our mother, who passed down a love of the afternoon tea experience. "Lady Jane" often visits the tea house and welcomes guests.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We signed our lease Friday the 13, March 2020, the weekend the world seemingly shut down. Like everyone, we thought it would just be two weeks. We would be closed anyway doing renovations, we thought. Five months later, we opened on August 2, 2020, with very limited outdoor seating only. To say the opening was a challenge as essentially an event venue for baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, etc., during a time when people could not gather is an understatement.

As a start-up, we also did not qualify for any PPP or other grants, so we have had to "reinvent" (our tagline) ourselves from the start just to keep the lights on. With hard work, a lot of creativity, some additional investments, lots of tears of both sorrow and joy, we are starting to come out of the other side of the pandemic finally. We are beyond proud of how far we have come.

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

Keeping a life and work balance is difficult. Owning your own business IS a 24/7 job, but that doesn't mean you can't step away. It may even be hard to let go, but it's crucial to your well-being. There is life outside of your business, no matter how much you love it. You need to take the time to live it.

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

  1. Find someone in your business you can confide in to share business advice and experiences.
  2. You're not alone. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
  3. Celebrate milestones/accomplishments, even small ones. Acknowledging progress drives you to continued success and to do more.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Fear is probably the biggest obstacle to being a success. What if this bad thing happens? What if that bad thing happens??? If there is anything that was opening an event venue during a pandemic has taught us is that you cannot live in fear. Stop asking the wrong questions and start asking the right ones. What if we're successful? What if we're really successful? Once you start picturing success, believing in it, you can stay focused on the path to follow without being de-railed by fear.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://janesteahouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReinventingTeaTime/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reinventingteatime/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanesTeaHouse

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.