Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Parmal Gahunia, owner of Joy Jar Treats, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We bake small batch desserts in glass Mason Jars, along with a variety of handmade treats that can be customized in Curated Boxes for any occasion. Joy Jar is really a labour of love. I am a big foodie and grew up in Montreal. After moving to Calgary, I found that the dessert scene was lackluster. I guess you could say my passion for baking came from my love of eating good food. Joy Jar is all about simplicity and focusing on the great taste of our treats. The idea came to me when I was hosting a large dinner party (Pre-COVID). In order to forgo the slicing and plating of my dessert that night, I decided to make them in a jar. Serving dessert has never been easier, as everyone could take their own jar and dig right in. With our line of desserts in a jar, there is no slicing involved, all you need is a spoon, and they are great for sharing in a COVID Safe way as the recipient can open their jar themselves. Our Customers are everyone from busy moms to Millennials & Gen Z.
Tell us about yourself
While I was on maternity leave with my second child, my love for baking became my creative outlet. During the Pandemic, it was hard to find time in the day that belonged solely to me, so when the kids went to bed that time in the kitchen, baking became my me time. Baking has always been a stress reliever for me, but during this uncertain time, it provided me with a sense of control over the outcome. It literally gave me the joy to create desserts that made people happy. I started delivering baked treats with my kids to cheer up our friends and family, and that still motivates everything I do at Joy Jar. It was never about anything else but spreading love through food.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was tying in my Punjabi upbringing into Curated Treat Boxes for such Indian Holidays as Diwali & Lohri. Representation matters, and providing that for a community that I feel so proud to be part of means the world to me. Thinking outside the box and reinventing classic Indian sweets has been a lot of fun.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It is not easy being a small business owner. I think the toughest lesson we all learn is not everyone will value the hard work that goes into creating. Do it anyway; the only opinion that matters is your own. The rest is all noise. To pursue a passion takes guts; there will always be the naysayers. I say use them as fuel and propel yourself to get better and better.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Dare to be different; harness the fact that your product is for a niche market.
- Content creation is integral in the age of Social Media. It is even more important during COVID. When people cannot smell the treats coming out of your oven, it helps to tease your product through stories, posts, and reels. We eat with our eyes.
- Do what you do, and do it well! In other words, be confident that you have put out a great product or service. Be kind and humble because when something is great, people will keep coming back, and that's what makes a great business owner.
Where can people find you and your business?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyjaryyc/
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.
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