Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jordan Ohara, CEO of Windansea Coffee, located in San Diego, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Windansea Coffee is about providing holistic remedies to improve your day, from your first sip of a coffee till you wind down for bed and everything in between. Our customers are high achievers. People who strive to perform their best at work, in the gym, or surfing at dawn. Many of our customers have an appreciation for amazing coffee but are tired of feeling jitters, anxiety, and crash.
Tell us about yourself
Our company was founded by a medically retired special force medic who spotted a need for natural wellness modalities for America's wounded warriors. Veteran wellness is core to our ethos, and helping transitioning service members find natural wellness, purpose, and community is vital to the brand. We donate a portion of our profits to veteran charities that empower and assist veterans through natural means. I am motivated every day by the knowledge that each product sold helps advance the mission. I am also motivated by just how fun it is to build a great business. Windansea is my passion and my creative outlet. It is my chance to be the change I want to see in the world.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was surviving the pandemic. We had only been in business for a little over a year when the pandemic struck, and I was terrified that we wouldn't make it. Not only did we survive the pandemic, but we turned that challenge into an opportunity for us to grow our online presence, hire new staff, and continue to refine our product. The lesson was that difficulties are gifts that force you to grow and get stronger. A great quote is, "Pray not for an easy life but for the strength to endure a hard one" This path has by no means been easy, but we are getting stronger day by day.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is that you never really know if you're making the right decision. No number of books you read, diplomas on your wall, or workshops you attend will ever make you "ready" for the challenges of entrepreneurship. You must become comfortable with trusting your instincts, your team, your analysis, and the universe on some cosmic level. You must simultaneously be receptive to outside feedback but also so confident in your vision that you know success is guaranteed. This cognitive dissonance is hard to balance, but it is necessary; otherwise, you'll be crushed under the massive weight of self-doubt and criticism.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get really good at improvising. Sometimes good enough is as good as it gets. Don't wait for perfection before you begin.
- Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you. The best entrepreneurs know their own shortcomings. If being a CEO is like being a quarterback, you're going to get smashed if you don't have good defenders and receivers to make plays happen. Don't think you can do it all alone. Greatness lies in the agency of others.
- Be patient with yourself and the process. It will take longer than you think. It will cost more. It will be more difficult. Good. Accept that and fall in love with the process.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://windanseacoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windanseacoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windanseacoffee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-ohara/
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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