Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samantha Kingsbury, co-owner of Kind Cafe, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

We're a zero-waste and plant-based restaurant, the first of its kind, located in Vancouver, BC! At Kind, we make everything from scratch for our 100% vegan menu that includes many nut-free and gluten-free options as well! We have no single-use materials here, which makes us super unique, and we encourage our customers to bring their own cups and containers or borrow one of ours for a fully refundable deposit

Tell us about yourself

I became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist back in 2014 and started a practice! A lot of it was based online, helping others achieve their health goals through holistic nutrition. Like many others, I really enjoyed working in a cafe setting - it felt inspirational, and it was a really nice vibe! Unfortunately, being vegan and living a low-waste lifestyle, it was tough to sit around places like Starbucks and watch the constant dairy being poured and watching how often they took out the garbage and recycling. I knew there must have been a kinder way to operate a cafe, and that's how the concept of Kind came to be! Holistic nutrition, veganism, sustainability, and building community are values that I hold very close to me, so I am grateful I get to be able to see them each and every day at Kind Cafe & Eatery :)

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Oh! Probably my team, to be honest. I love my staff soooo much; I'm so proud and so grateful to have them here day in and day out serving our customers! We're truly like a little happy family :) Although I'm proud of the work I've done here, the waste I have saved, the animals I have advocated for, the suppliers I've partnered with, and the restaurant I have built, I am absolutely the most stoked about the staff and customers that walkthrough here!

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

Definitely a work-life balance! Especially during COVID. With all the pivots and problem-solving, it has been nearly impossible to spend the desired amount of time with my husband and stepdaughter. There were staff shortages and changes to business models for a long time there, and it consumed nearly every minute of every day for me. It's definitely one of the hardest parts! Things are getting better, though :)

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

  1. It's going to be super scary, but I highly recommend taking the leap!
  2. You can truly accomplish anything you set your mind to! You can manifest the life of your dreams!
  3. Don't be scared to ask for help :) More often than not, you can't do it all yourself, and it's amazing building your relationships and community along the way when you ask for support!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kindcafe.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindcafeyvr/

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.