Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anand & Doris Saha, owners of Mozart's, located in Columbus, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Mozart's is a family-owned and operated catering facility, bakery, and cafe. My wife Doris and I are an integral part of the day-to-day operation of the business, and many of our customers know us by name. Since opening our doors in 1995, Mozart's has become well known throughout Columbus and beyond for our authentic Austrian tortes, pastries, and cookies, as well as classic European specialties. Customer favorites include Sacher Torte, our Afternoon Tea service, and Hungarian Goulash. Guests are treated to fresh flowers on the table and live piano several days a week. We are proud to host events of all kinds, from weddings and anniversary parties to baby showers, memorials, birthdays, and holiday parties. Many of our customers live in our neighborhood and surrounding areas, but we have guests who regularly travel to Mozart's from all over Ohio.
Tell us about yourself
Doris and I met in Switzerland in 1989, where she was beginning her career as a pastry chef, and I studied Hotel Management. When the opportunity to move to Columbus arose in 1995, Doris and I risked everything that we had to pursue our dream of owning our own bakery. We adopted Columbus as our home, building our business and raising our family here in Clintonville.
Since we started our business, we have always strived to bring a 'taste of Europe' to Columbus. Doris is an amazing pastry chef. Her talent and Austrian heritage are the inspiration for Mozart's. While Doris thrives in her role behind the scenes in the bakery, I enjoy getting to know our guests when I'm not busy in the kitchen. It is a pleasure and a privilege to serve our community.
Here are a couple of fun and interesting pieces on the history of Mozart's:
https://mozartscafe.com/our-history/686-2/
https://mozartscafe.com/our-history/
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Purchasing our current business location at 4784 N. High Street. For our first 18 years, Mozart's rented a small storefront in Clintonville. Doris and I dreamed of expanding to a larger location.
We were just establishing our business when Doris and I viewed the space at 4784 N. High for the first time in 1997. The historic Mission-style building was constructed in 1934 with marble terrazzo floors and elegant archways- a perfect fit for Mozart's.
Doris and I were finally able to realize this dream when we purchased the building in 2012. After renovating and restoring many of the building's historical features, Mozart's relocated to this gorgeous new home in 2013. It has allowed us to expand our events business, hosting everything from weddings to fundraisers, anniversary parties, and memorials.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning how to say 'no.' No business can be everything to everyone. It's better to do a few things really well than do many things poorly.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be persistent! Don't give up.
- Be focused on your goals.
- Be honest.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mozartscafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MozartsCafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mozartscafe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mozartscafe
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.