Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marceil Van Camp, Owner of Kamp Social House, located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Kamp Social House is a restaurant and bar serving Seattle.
Tell us about yourself
My wife is a lifelong restaurateur, and I've learned so much about the business through her experience. When she said she was ready to become an owner, I was all in. I'm motivated by our community to build the next generation of restaurants. It's where the tagline 'something for everyone' came from.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We opened Kamp Social House in July 2022, and before the year was over, we'd been named one of Seattle's best new restaurants. The city set that high bar for us, and we're proud to have met it. We're also thrilled to be known as a lesbian-owned spot, as there are fewer and fewer spaces for the lesbian and queer community, in general, to dine, drink and feel safe.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
My wife, Katy, and I are partners in life and business. We know that it takes a special relationship to work and live together, and we work on it daily. Setting boundaries is an everyday work in progress to ensure we thrive as a couple and as business partners.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find a sponsor or mentor who is outside of your business. Having a trusted ally is a critical aspect of both business and personal development.
- Understand that well-laid plans don't always work out, and be ready to change. Flexibility is how you overcome obstacles and use hardships as learning opportunities.
- Passion is what makes running a business fun, so make sure to find ways to keep that passion hot and thriving.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kampseattle.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kampseattle/
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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