Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charles Johnson, owner of Johnson Family Bakery, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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

We are an artisan bakery specializing in creative, organic sourdough bread and pastries. We proudly serve the Danforth community. We work our butts off to give our customers the most delicious, nutritious sourdough bread in Toronto.

Tell us about yourself

After 20 years in a different industry, I returned to my passion for making beautiful food. I started this business with a few bags of flour on my kitchen counter, and I’ve grown it into a successful commercial micro-bakery. Every day gives me the opportunity to grow my business and positively impact my community and employees (all 2 of them!)

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I’m now in the position of hiring employees. After 20 years of managing people, I’m dedicated to providing the absolute best working environment possible for my employees.

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

All the admin, compliance, and website maintenance.

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

  1. Start before you feel ready.
  2. Get used to failing and learn from each mistake.
  3. Don’t ever stop moving forward.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Starting a business is a huge amount of work, but people are tremendously supportive. Take all the help, support, and feedback you can. If you have a great idea, your friends and community will keep pushing you forward.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.johnsonfamilybakery.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsonfamilybakery

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.