Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Noah Jashinski, Founder of Coffee vs. Suicide, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Established in 2017, Coffee vs. Suicide is a full-service consulting company focused on every aspect of Specialty Coffee. We focus on everyone from existing coffee companies to hotels to individual proprietors and entrepreneurs.
Tell us about yourself
I started over 12 years ago as a dishwasher at Intelligentsia in Silverlake, California, and I just fell in love with hospitality and coffee after a long career in music and art. I love seeing people, both owners and customers alike, get excited about coffee. I love being a part of making someone else's vision or a dream come true. It is extremely rewarding, exciting, and challenging.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having worked in so many cities and countries, with so many different kinds of people and companies. I've worked in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Nashville, New York, Berlin, and presently, I am pursuing opportunities in Norway and Scandinavia.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding the balance between making your customer/partner happy and saving them from selves. Walking the fine line and being respectful and clear when an idea would be detrimental.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get everything in writing! Not to sound negative, but do not trust anyone on their word alone.
- Run every scenario, and whatever is the worst case, assume THAT model will be the actual outcome, particularly when it comes to P&L.
- Don't get emotionally attached to a location. It will often force you into mistakes or compromise your vision for the brand. And if you lose it, it can be heartbreaking and make you feel defeated.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.coffeevssuicide.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeevssuicide/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahjashinski/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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