Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paul Allamby, partner at Levenswater Inc., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

We are a family of Ontario-grown gins that look to create a journey of the senses. Everything, including our beautiful crystal flint bottles, 34 delicious botanicals & unique aromatics, is designed to deliver a better cocktail experience.

Tell us about yourself

One of my daughters bought me a gin-making kit eight years ago, and just four years ago, my partners and I decided to launch our brand.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Turning our dream into a reality. Our gins have won international awards (in the UK, China, and the USA) and are now selling in Ontario, Quebec, and the USA.

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

I would say that the pandemic was a tremendous impact on our client's businesses and, therefore, on ours. When bars and restaurants had to shut down, that affected about 50% of our top line. I had to look my partners and investors in the eye and tell them that the road to success was going to be a lot longer than we had originally expected.

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

  1. Make sure that you have a solid business plan; just about everything takes longer than you expect it to.
  2. Find partners that believe in your dream almost as much as you do!
  3. Constantly look to create and improve your product experience and learn as much as possible from your customers. (B2B and B2C).

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Living in Toronto gave me the idea to create a gin that would truly represent our diversity. Each infused botanical comes from the different cultures that make up our city.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.levenswater.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/levenswatergin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levenswatergin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pallambyconsults/

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.