Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sophie Lelievre-Hughes, owner of Lucky Bug Lure Company, located in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

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

The Lucky Bug Lure Company is a local fishing lure manufacturing business. Our customers are anglers that love to cast or troll for a variety of freshwater and saltwater species all across Canada and the USA. I love all things outdoors, and that includes fishing. My passion for fishing, and our environment, drives us to create lures that constantly out-fish other lures. And because our lures and patterns are created and designed in-house, we can react to industry changes quickly. There aren’t many fishing lure manufacturers left in Canada. We are proud to be one of the few that are still making quality lures by hand.

Tell us about yourself

I got started in this business after having had a successful corporate career and then starting a family. Once I had kids, I knew that I wanted to be able to enjoy raising them as well as to create a meaningful family business. I also wanted to fish with my growing family with fishing lures that caught a LOT of fish! So, after my second child was born…so was Lucky Bug.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is continuing to grow my business without sacrificing my values. We’re a small business that has had some ups and downs over the years but seeing my company continue to flourish, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry, is very gratifying. It’s also extremely rewarding when I continually hear successful fishing stories of anglers all across Canada and USA catching all kinds of fish with our lures. There is a certain feeling of success that comes with creating something that brings joy to so many people!

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

One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is that the work demands never really take a holiday. There is always something that needs to be done or something that can be improved upon. Even though it's one of the hardest things, it's also what keeps me motivated.

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

The top 3 tips that I'd give anyone looking to start running and grow a successful business today are:
1 – Never start something that you're not passionate about or that you don't believe in. If you don't have that as a foundation, then it will make the tough days unbearable.
2 – Look for a mentor to help guide you. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for help when you need it.
3 – Have a vision and a plan for you and your business. Check your status and your path regularly (at least annually) and make sure that you're still on track! This will keep you from trying to be all things to all people. And remember to be true to your vision and to yourself.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

One last thing, I am extremely grateful for all of the support that I have received over the many years of being in this business. Without the support of family and great friends, I wouldn’t be as happy with being an entrepreneur as I am. So, a big THANK YOU to everyone that has helped me along this journey, as well as to my loyal customers! I certainly couldn’t do any of this without you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://luckybuglures.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuckyBugLures/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybuglures/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/luckybuglures
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-lelievre-hughes-a1873534/

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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