Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rochelle Minagawa, founder of MotherLove Ferments, located in Kelowna, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
MotherLove Ferments makes functional beverages. Kombucha contains probiotics, b vitamins, and enzymes that support digestion. Water kefir kombucha's non-caffeinated cousin is high in probiotics, low in sugar, and hydrating. We've created these ferments to not only be good for you but also to taste good too. Used to drinking Gingerale? Swap it out for a Just Ginger Kombucha. It's crushable and will help curb your sugar cravings. Not drinking alcohol right now? Mojito Water Kefir. You'll feel better the next day, and it tastes good.
Tell us about yourself
As a high-level athlete, I've always been interested in health and optimal energy. Fermentation naturally became a hobby for me since it's an excellent way to support our microbiome and recovery. MotherLove was born out of this hobby as a way to share my passion, but I didn't have plans to grow it to where it is now. This has been a natural evolution of people connecting with the brand and liking the drinks. My two kids keep me going. They are incredibly interested in being outside, growing food, and helping at the brewery. I love seeing their eyes light up when we try new flavours.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Making it through the pandemic. We've had to make so many shifts with the supply chain issues, rising costs of shipping, and prolonged closures. We changed the packaging and developed new markets in response. We wouldn't still be in business had we not made the big adjustments.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing time and time blocking. I like to be organized and have set work, but things always come up that need attending to (especially these last two years), and it's easy to put out fires and neglect the important work of growing the business. Make sure that work doesn't spill over into family time because this is the hardest piece.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Hire the right people - Your strengths are your business's strengths, and your weaknesses are your business weaknesses. Know what these are and hire people who can do what you can't do well.
- Be adaptable - people change, trends change, seasons change, and your business has to change as well to stay relevant
- Don't take it too seriously - Business is a lot of work and takes a lot of time. It's easy for anything that takes up so much of your time and energy to start to become your identity. Remember to take days off, keep your hobbies, and that, while you're an important part of your business, it has to take care of you as much as you take care of it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.motherloveferments.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherlovekombucha/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherlovekombucha/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/motherlove-ferments/
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.