Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brenda Sutherland, Owner of Marina Mercantile, located in Des Moines, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a specialty food & wine shop offering a curated selection of fine cheeses and meats by the pound, local and international wines, and specialty grocery items. We also have handmade sandwiches, salads, soups, wine by the glass, and beer on tap. Our customers are residents from Des Moines and surrounding communities, as well as tourists.
Tell us about yourself
My husband and I started this business after being inspired to bring a quality grocery and wine shop back to a community that has been a food desert since the big chain store left 17 years ago. We continue to be motivated by the community members who come to the store and share their appreciation for our vision. This not only lets us know we are on the right path but drives us to continue to delight our customers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment so far, we've only been in business for 6 months, has been creating a space that has turned into much more than a retail shop. We now hold regular events from wine tastings to cookie & cake decorating and paint and sips to flower arranging. These events bring people together who might otherwise not meet. In this way, we are building a stronger sense of community in Des Moines for all residents.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Every business owner has challenges, and we are no exception. I think our biggest challenge has been remembering to take time off. Being in a relationship with your business partner can definitely be challenging and exciting but also taxing, especially when all you talk about is your business. We work to make sure we maintain interests outside of our new business and to give ourselves time off.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a clear vision for the business itself: what will it be, to whom, and why is that awesome?
- Have a realistic view of how long you will need capital subsidies before you break even... i.e., have enough cash on hand!
- Hire pros for anything you don't know, especially if it involves regulations, permitting, or anything else that could stop your business in its tracks.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.marinamercantile.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarinaMercantile22/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinamercantile/
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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