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Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Greg Dorros, Owner of Mary's Mixers LLC., located in Lake Oswego, OR, USA.

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

We make super high-quality Cocktail Mixes for people to enjoy at home and for bars and restaurants that want to deliver consistent quality with efficient service for their customers.

Tell us about yourself

I first started making cocktails back in the late 80s. It took me many years of doing other jobs to get me to a position where I was able to launch my dream. My two kids are my biggest motivation. Having lived overseas, I came back to the States as it is the land of opportunity.

My greatest motivation is to show them that you can do anything that you put your focus on and that with the right amount of determination, anything is possible.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

When you are focused and working hard, it is difficult to see the accomplishments as they often are more apparent well after you have passed them. My first accomplishment was to win Platinum against all other brands in my category. Next, it was passing my goal of selling over 100,000 units.

None of that touched me more than a little old lady in a small town who I bumped into. When she said that she not only knew my products but loved them, I realized that I had done something right. I can't stress enough how the real rewards are from the people and the amazing support that a total stranger can give.

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

I think the state of the world over the last few years has been incredibly challenging. Price changes and availability of goods, distribution, and even issues with retailers struggling for workers have taken a toll on many emerging and existing brands.

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

Get your finances ready. Avoid the SBA and other biz loans at all costs. If you don't have the funds, you will either need to grow slowly, which is more difficult or bring in a partner with both finance and experience to your group. Listen to everyone's opinion along the way, and always be humble and willing to learn from even the people you might least expect.

Don't piss off the social media giants. They rule the marketing world and can cut you out very quickly. I was the first to pasteurize a CBD beverage when it first became legal. It was too soon and not welcome in that world at the time.

I have been blocked from advertising with them ever since, and this has greatly handicapped our success. We halted all production of CBD mixes, but the damage is done, and they never forget.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://marysmixers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marysmixers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marysmixers/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-dorros-a283516/

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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