Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Monique Bernard, CEO of Mob Seafood & Tings Corp, located in Brampton, ON, Canada.

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

We are a seafood & comfort food business. Our menu incorporates dishes from our Jamaican heritage to bring our food to culinary perfection! The majority of our consumers are customers who are looking for an alternative to your typical chicken. Our food brings an opportunity to share an experience with friends and family.

Tell us about yourself

I started my business in the heart of COVID lockdown. I created the company initially to give my children (in college and university ) at the time an opportunity to gain an income in a safe environment as most summer employment for students was canceled due of the pandemic. However, as I saw the business show the potential to grow, I invested more time & money into the business as I wanted to create generational wealth through my black-owned business for my children.

Given the social climate we were living in, I began to see the need for black business ownership and generational wealth. I decided to focus on building this into a true competitive brand to do just that.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, my biggest three accomplishments are:

  1. Creating my food truck.
  2. Filming a commercial on a major Canadian campaign.
  3. Being featured on the cover of NOW magazine with my truck and Carnival TO models.

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

The slow times opening during COVID have been a blessing and a curse. With restrictions coming in waves, we have been impacted greatly. As we brace to be in business outside of COVID lockdowns, I am faced with trying to find ways to bring more consistent income to help sustain the business through low periods of revenue.

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

  1. Be confident in your decision to start a business. Taking on this decision is great when times are good, but it becomes difficult to stay the course when business is slow.
  2. Be consistent with your product; people are loyal to major companies like McDonald's due to consistency. You can travel to almost any country, and the taste, look, feel of McDonald's remains consistent.
  3. Lastly, stay true to yourself and your customers. Conduct your business and interactions with customers with kindness and authenticity, and they will remain loyal to your brand.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I would like to thank my family supported my idea from concepts from day#1. My daughter Jada Bernard, husband Anthony Bernard, my son Kaeshawn Legall, daughter Miyah Bernard, son Isaiah Bernard. They are my foundation; they are my cheerleaders; they are my reasons. My coach Josette Holness from Beautiful Women's Society, keeps me grounded and focused on the goal at hand. Lastly, I dedicate this interview to my mother, whose memory serves as fuel for my motivation to keep going ( I love you, mom)

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://mobseafood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mobseafood/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mob_seafood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mobseafood

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.