Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rinna Lee, co-founder, and CEO of Joimo Kombucha, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We began with a few friends that share a love for single-origin oolong tea. It is a love built on Taiwanese tea traditions. It has evolved into a company committed to sharing the best tea and kombucha possible with the world. We source single-origin oolong from the high mountains of Taiwan. From farm to kettle and bottle, we took no shortcuts in each step of the process.
As a result, our customers enjoy the best oolong tea steeped in tradition and premium kombucha that's superior by nature, with an entirely different flavor that's lighter, crisper, cleaner, and bursting with joy.
Tell us about yourself
It all started when I fell in love with the kombucha brewed with our tea! I couldn't believe how good it was. To make sure, I conducted my own three-month mini-blind taste test with everyone I saw and tasted everything on the market I could get my hands on. The results, albeit unscientific, confirmed three things:
- Our kombucha is delicious.
- Our key ingredient (tea) was critical to the brew.
- We have to share it with the world.
It's simply too good to keep to ourselves.
We are in the process of building our brewery right in downtown Los Angeles and, in the meantime, launched our tea business that is sold online and at select restaurants. I can't wait for construction to be completed, our brews to age, and for folks to taste everything.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Starting a business right before the pandemic delayed everything and made things more complicated and expensive. So this is a tough question because we are a work in progress, but that just might be it: we are still going!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
How to be a professional juggler! There are always more things that need to be done sooner, while something more important and urgent pops up. It's exciting and gratifying.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be passionate about your business, but be able to make tough choices. That flexibility will allow you to adjust/pivot with whatever might be happening. In my case, it was a pandemic.
- This is your baby, and it takes a village. That means you need to talk to your customers and the people in your network; you'll be surprised with their experiences and insights. The best part is that this is generally free!
- Be patient and kind to yourself and others in the process. There will be mistakes that cost more than you thought they might and at times feels like you've hit a dead-end but give yourself the time to figure it out.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A bit cliché, but remember to have fun. It can take many forms, from celebrating small victories to entertaining a completely crazy idea.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://joimotea.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joimocompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joimotea/
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.