Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cigdem Gulen, owner of Luna Crepes and Cafe, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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

We are a family-owned breakfast and lunch place located in Kanata. Local small businesses are more accountable to their local communities. One thing is for sure local businesses breathe life into the community. Our welcoming and positive attitude towards a good example for everyone. Local shops create adaptations between cultures. The way they respect, love, tolerance, and acceptance each other opens big bridges in the community.

Tell us about yourself

We are immigrants and trying to live in a different country, different culture, different economic structure. But we are feeling so fortunate with everything surrounding us in our community. As a restaurant owner, I can say that we feel like our job is not only cooking. It's also about connections, communications, and serving this life. But, while we needed to stand by each other with my husband, we also needed approval and being loved by people around us because approval is the most important thing for a sense of belonging.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I thought we had been working in a food serving business, but when I saw these connections, I realized that this is not the only case. The way our customers were trying to be with us in the difficult times we go through, the way we were able to live together and share what we have experienced, the method being a small business that deserves such praise without knowing what we are doing so well, never getting worried, trusting each other and seeing that trust keeping us together showed me we weren't just managing a restaurant. Our thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and philosophies govern us and help us establish a balance for our business and community. I always see beauty in these and also potential benefits for everyone in this community.

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

We witnessed and were faced with how necessary to struggle, mature, and lose to gain experience. We carried the weight of immigrant identity or being different. But when I thought and analyzed our business, I figured out we made unbreakable bonds with our differences. I figured out we don't have to be the same as them. We could be ourselves and show them our beauty and abilities. This helped us to build along standing respect and compassion between our community and us.

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

Our most important goal is to do everything with love and compassion in this business. People love each other, and understanding is just as important as love. Because of love's benefits and rewards, the emotion required for integration is compassion. We think this community is like a mosaic and everyone in this community is part of this mosaic. We have to love, respect, tolerate and accept each other as a community. Our only tip is for everyone in whatever you do it with love. Love will bring happiness and success to everyone.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Our community connections have been the biggest key to our happiness and success. We met with our business and life, how we tried to overcome what happened to us in this business, and how we adapted to pains and joys with peace and trust. Our community connections are why we have a big smile on our faces all the time.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lunacafe.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunacrepescafe/

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.