Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Subhi Alsayed, founder of Kulture Rebellion, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At Kulture Rebellion, we are reinventing social drinking. Social drinking is how communities have connected for thousands of years, and it is part of our culture. However, the majority of the options that exist today only appeal to a sense of fun and enjoyment but overlook the wellbeing of consumers. As a result, many who can no longer drink beer or follow a low sugar diet, for example, have to either compromise or exclude themselves. Why can't we socialize with our peers over drinks without compromising the experience? This is where Kulture Rebellion comes into the picture. We reinvent popular social beverages, such as beer, cocktails, and others, to make them with live cultures and gut-friendly ingredients.
Tell us about yourself
I started working on Kulture Rebellion in 2019 after I had health challenges with my gut health, and I had to follow a grain-free diet for almost 12 months to restore my microbiome. This was when I realized the lack of gut-friendly options at social drinking establishments. This was also when I started to get more involved with fermented foods, including the now-famous fermented tea beverage, Kombucha. "Only if there was a way to make this kombucha an alternative to beer," I thought to myself. And so, I set out on a journey to make this beverage for my own consumption. A few months later, I was hosting brucha (that's what I refer to this kombucha "beer" as) gatherings at my place. It didn't take long before I was told I should launch this business and make the bruchas available to others. My efforts got interrupted by the pandemic closures and lockdowns, but now I am back on a track surrounded by an amazing team of Rebels and supportive allies.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment (to date) is surrounding myself with amazing people who kept me going when the going got tough and continue to inspire me to keep at it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being a business owner comes with a suite of challenges right off the bat, but if I have to pick one, I’d say it is dealing with the unknowns and the self-doubt that comes with it. There were days when I questioned if I was wasting my time and if anyone would be interested in what I was doing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take your time, in the beginning, to clearly articulate what you are looking to do. What is your purpose, and how will your business help others?
- Follow your passion and make it your guiding star, as there will be days when it feels easier to just compromise on what we initially set out to do.
- Recognize your strengths and weaknesses and surround yourself with partners and mentors who can amplify your strengths and complement your weak skills.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kulturerebellion.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulturerebellion/
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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