Conceived by love - Not Cho Cheesecake
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Glen Whitaker, founder of Not Cho Cheesecake, located in Bethany, Oklahoma.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Not Cho Cheesecake is a small bakery with big flavored conceived by love and driven by the joy that came from It! My wife and I started Not Cho Cheesecake In the midst of the pandemic to share our love and provide pieces of happiness in an unprecedented time of sickness and despair.
We serve very unique cheesecakes with each having its’ own identity taking your taste buds on a trip to a destination that only we can provide where all ingredients exist in such a harmony your mouth will think it tasted a piece of heaven. We not only served the Oklahoma City metro and surrounding areas we also ship.
Tell us about yourself
I am a 34 year old Oklahoma native who always wanted to create something lasting that would yield generational wealth for my family and my wife wanted the same. So after a girls trip to Memphis she came home inspired and we began laying the foundation for what would become known as Not Cho Cheesecake Bakery.
The business found success but unfortunately my wife fell ill and succumbed to her sickness and passed away in November 25 of 2020 and me knowing how much this meant to her and what we set out to accomplish keeps me motivated to keep our dream alive and the bakery elevating. I do it for the love we shared, family, and the joy of satisfied customers who are inspired by our story.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
There are so many but the biggest accomplishment in my eyes was the ability to provide my children and family employment and compensation while teaching them the ropes to sustain the business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are so many obstacles such as COVID and constantly staying relevant and reinventing yourself because everything has a shelf life so you must continue to grow and provide quality while improving quality and creating new creative ways to serve the clientele with the combination of those and trying to handle the rest of everyday life things can be a struggle.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Have a plan! So you can have a reference to refer to so you stay on track .
2. Know your clientele! Marketing is vital and will be major to grow and sustain your business and business reach.
3. Remember everything has a shelf life continue to be innovative to keep your business relevant.
Anything else you'd like to share?
We (me and Shoshianna(wife)) are/were first generational dreamers who set out to lay the foundation to something that would live past our lifetimes and with the love we shared it propelled us into unlocking the greatness that is within and I say all that to say this, to anyone who is inspired go get it!! Sometimes you have to blaze your own trail and set a precedent for those who come after you and you may not see the dream complete but your kids and kids kids can and will.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.notchocheesecake.com
https://www.instagram.com/notchocheesecake/
https://www.facebook.com/notchocheesecake
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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