Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Valerie Azinge, founder and CEO of My Digital Kitchen Inc., located in Etobicoke, ON, Canada.

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

I founded My Digital Kitchen. I also run a food blog that focuses on healthy, gourmet, savoury recipes and sugar-conscious desserts for the hungry palate. My recipes and photos have attracted awareness and followings from reputable celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsey and features and followings from The Food Network, Buzzfeed, CBC, CTV, and several notable Canadian and international publications. Therefore, my idea to expand my culinary skills into a dessert catering service was nothing short of a genius idea. I am also the author of a new cookbook, 30-Minute Low Carb Dinners, which is available for purchase online and in bookstores in Canada, The US, and worldwide.

Tell us about yourself

Before venturing off on my entrepreneurial journey, I used to be a law clerk with the goal of going to law school. I wasn't happy In the career I was in, and before I even got the chance to quit, I got fired. I saw that as a sign from the universe to capitalize on the passion and skill that I already had, which was my ability to create beautiful and delicious food. I've always loved feeding people, as it's my love language. From running a dessert catering business to publishing a cookbook to contributing recipes to the Food Network, I get to do what I love while also providing a service to others and feeding hungry bellies! I am motivated to do what I do because I get to put a smile on people's faces with delicious food.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is my resilience. With no formal business training, I was basically a novice trying to navigate a world that was foreign to me. I made a lot of mistakes but also learned a lot of lessons, which helped me make smarter decisions and kept me moving forward.

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

I got into a traumatic motorcycle accident in 2018. My friend and I were hit by a drunk driver, which took the life of my friend and landed me in the hospital for three months, almost paralyzed. That year prior to the accident, I was excelling in my business and even shot a commercial for it. Once the accident happened, I had to start from scratch. Three years later, I am still in the process of restructuring, but with every setback comes a blessing. While I had to start from the ground up, I was also able to publish a cookbook, which has gathered me a lot of press and recognition for my story.

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

Never put a timeline on when you expect to start making a profit. Have goals, but be open to roadblocks along the way. Seek advice and mentorship, and never be afraid to ask for help. Don't be too hard on yourself. As a business owner starting out, you will have pretty much every responsibility on your shoulders. Therefore, you will make a lot of mistakes. Use each lesson as a teaching tool on how to improve and make adjustments. As long as you're alive and healthy, you will always have the potential to succeed. So, it's never too late.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mydigitalkitchen.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydigitalkitchen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mydigitalkitchn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-azinge-24a33691/

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.

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