Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristopher Baignosche, co-owner of KTB Coffee Shop and Lounge, located in N. Arlington, NJ, USA.

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

What is my business? My business is that of a psychiatrist, a conductor, a musician, an art director, a chef, a barista, a janitor, etc. We offer everything from food to alcohol and caffeine as well as a place to study or relax and enjoy the live music or events or just to meet for a 1st date or 100th date.

Tell us about yourself

My wife and I started this business because we noticed there wasn't something in our area where someone our age could get a "good" cup of coffee or a glass of wine at night. There are plenty of bars in our area, but I hear it's frowned upon to bring your 12-year-old son to a bar, even if his fake ID is stellar. HA! Anyway, we thought the area could use a coffee house during the day and a lounge at night. What motivates me each day to do what I do? I love the work; I love the fact that it's a family business, and my family is with me more than they would probably like. I get to wake up each day and work with my best friend every single day. We also have become so entangled with our customers that they seem like family too.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

That we've been able to grow every step of the way, they tell us the only person you should be better than is the person you were yesterday. I keep that philosophy with everything I do, my gym life, my personal life, my business life. We have been growing as a business every step of the way. We've added a liquor license, a second location, a second liquor license, a draft system. We are working on a deck for the summer and trying to incorporate ax-throwing by the summer.

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

Time management. It's hard to get any free time or time off with your family. Every day is a struggle to keep the business running smooth, get the books done, order, eat, sleep, work out, etc... Every day is a challenge.

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

  1. Don't waste time with shitty employees. Learn to identify what's a training issue and where you can improve but also know when to cut the lazy and cut them out of your business fast. They're toxic, they infect the other employees, and they're a huge waste of time and energy.
  2. Pay attention to the details. I feel like my business has thrived, and people appreciated the extra attention we've paid to certain items like the decorations or our small wares. For example, we didn't go with traditional plating. We serve our egg dishes in cast iron pans and our sandwiches on wood cutting boards. Our tap water is served in white wine bottles with fresh mint. Customers notice these little extras, even if it's subconsciously.
  3. Give yourself a break. One particular day I remember was when we were busy, and the food orders were coming out fast; they all looked great, in my opinion, and we were getting a lot of compliments from the customers in-house. For some reason, I went on one of the social media food search sites and got knocked down a peg. There were a few bad reviews that were pretty much unfounded. It seemed like they just didn't like me, the place, my wife, whatever.....There are a lot of angry, hateful people that just want to knock people down. Let it roll over you. There's a really bad diner near me that has a 2-star rating with hundreds of ratings from a number of sites, and they still are packed every single day. Don't waste time with these awful people. Respond to the reviews once and then move on. Do not go back and forth with these people; most of them have no lives and are looking to ruin yours.
  4. (I know you said three, but I have to write this) - Enjoy every minute of it. I mean, come on, you own your own business. Revel in that and enjoy every minute that you're making your own way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.ktbcoffeeshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktbcoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ktbcoffeeshop/

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.