Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Diana Jarrar, Founder of MAGICDATES, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

At MAGICDATES, we spotlight dates as a symbol of cultural connection by creating delicious, better-for-you snacks that bridge the gap between health and indulgence. Our customers are foodies and love to indulge in moderation. They care about their well-being and want to make better choices for their family.

Tell us about yourself

I was inspired by my upbringing in Damascus, Syria, where the date fruit is revered and gifted during holidays. At home, we would replace the pit of this wrinkly, resilient, and sweet fruit with a walnut. We enjoyed this perfectly balanced bite, especially during Ramadan, where it was traditional to break our fast with dates and walnuts. These memories sparked the creation of MAGICDATES.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Owning my story and background and conveying that in our brand ethos has been our biggest win. It's important to show up as who we really are in order to build true and deep connections with our audience.

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

Growing a food business is extremely challenging as there's tons of competition, and food is a highly emotional purchase for most of us. Just remember the last time you shopped while hungry, and you'll know what I'm talking about! So standing out from the crowd and differentiating ourselves constantly is important.

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

  1. Know and own your story. Customers care about that and want to know there's a human that cares behind the scenes.
  2. Do your homework and research the market before creating a product. It's vital that you're creating a product that customers need and want.
  3. Never stop listening to your customers. They'll give you the feedback you need as you grow, iterate, and innovate.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Our vision is to help reclaim the narrative of the Middle East and to share a glimpse into a collection of cultures that are often misunderstood. With this in mind, we've been proud partners of the Karam foundation since our early days! Karam means generosity in Arabic, and they do inspiring work to uplift and help build the lives of Syrian refugees impacted by the Civil War.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://magicdatesbites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicdatesbites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicdatesbites/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-jarrar-b67ab026/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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