Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Megan Pope, co-owner of Mondays Plant Cafe, located in Calgary, Canada.

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

Mondays Plant Cafe is a 100% plant-based restaurant that serves health-focused dishes and drinks, along with locally made market products from around Calgary. We aim to create a welcome environment where everyone is welcome. Our biggest priority is to supply customers with healthy options that not only taste great but also benefit the world we all live in.

Tell us about yourself

Myself, Megan, and Ali created Mondays out of a desire to implement change; health-wise, environmentally, and ethically. We wanted to create a safe space where customers can choose food options they can feel good about. Growing up outdoors, loving animals, and enjoying cooking all combined for us, and thus Mondays was born.

We come to work each and every day knowing we are having a positive impact on the world and truly put love into all our dishes because we love what we do and the people we serve.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We opened our cafe when we were young (and dumb!). We have worked through many obstacles and countless hours in order to bring our dream to life. Having zero business experience was challenging, to say the least, and we have learned a lot through this process.

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is probably the high amount of hours you put in. It's also one of the best things! Because when you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work. However, we could probably use some more vacations!

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

1) Be prepared to dedicate your whole self to your business. But make sure to create boundaries within this- overworking does not propel your business forward always. If you're burnt out, that doesn't help anyone!

2) Don't be afraid to ask for help. You don't have to do everything yourself, and sometimes outsourcing might be the best option.

3) Go for it! There will probably never be a perfect time to start. There will always be obstacles, but believing that you are capable of handling those issues when they arise is half the battle. There's no point in stressing about things that haven't happened yet, so just take each day as it comes and have confidence that you WILL be able to manage whatever comes up.

Where can people find you and your business?

https://www.mondaysplantcafe.com

https://www.instagram.com/mondaysplantcafe/

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.