Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jordan McIntyre, owner of Mary Manette Seafood, located in Charlottetown, Canada.

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

Mary Manette Seafood is a certified Indigenous and woman-owned artisanal seafood producer and named after my great-grandmother. Over a century ago, my great-grandmother, Mary Manette, traveled through the night by horse and wagon from West Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, to set up her fish stand bright and early at the Halifax Farmers Market. Her seafood was highly sought after and known for its exceptional flavour and freshness. Quality was important to her and is important to us, which is why all of our Canadian tinned seafood is hand-packed and infused with flavourful brines, natural wood smoke, and lots of fresh ocean air. It is my hope that Mary Manette's seafood brings the flavour and time-honored traditions of Atlantic Canada to your table wherever it may be.

Tell us about yourself

I was at a wedding in Boston and went out to dinner at this fabulous restaurant that specialized in serving tinned fish right out of the can. While I was there, I was looking at their wall of conservas and realized there were none from Canada at all! I thought this was crazy since Canada has some of the absolute best seafood in the world. I spent the rest of my time in Boston, writing out a business plan and brainstorming on the backs of napkins. By the time I had returned to Prince Edward Island, I was setting up meetings to get the ball rolling on Mary Manette Seafood, and the rest is history. Now, I get to spend every day sharing the fabulous, time-honoured flavours of Canadian seafood with dinner tables all over the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It's hard to nail it down to just one, but I would say growing Mary Manette Seafood despite the upheaval we've all experienced in the last two years. When I started this company, I had never heard of COVID-19. There were times when I wasn't sure we would make it through, but with a lot of hard work and a lot of long days, we've managed to grow and are now sold in over 350 locations across Canada!

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

It can be overwhelming. When you're a small business owner, your business becomes an extension of yourself; it's something you think about day-in and day-out. It's hard to clock out mentally. It's been so important for me to make a conscious effort to take time and headspace away from the business when I log off, but I know it makes me a better owner when I take some time for myself so I can come back refreshed and my best self for Mary Manette Seafood.

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

  1. My best tip for starting a business would be just that-- "start." You won't know what you don't know until you begin, but you also won't know what you do know until then either.
  2. My best tip for running a business would be to find somebody to talk to in your sector, preferably a couple of years further into the game than you. Mentors have been so important for us. It's also been so valuable to have a sounding board who's been where you've been. Starting a business can be lonely and daunting, so it's nice to have someone who gets the struggles (and who has survived them!).
  3. My best tip for growing your business is to say yes as much as you can. To those committees you're not sure about, or last-minute dinners with old friends. You never know what interactions will grow your network or who you will meet!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.marymanetteseafood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marymanetteseafood
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymanetteseafood/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mary-manette-seafood/

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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