Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & bev, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Justin Burrow, founder of Burro Cheese, grilled cheese visionary from Austin Texas, USA.

Tell us all about your business...

We are an elevated grilled cheese sandwich shop serving from two shipping container kitchens and two food trucks!

What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?

Growing up in Austin (Lake Travis), planting roots in the heart of Texas was always the dream, and after living in Seattle, making weekly visits to a local institution in Pike’s Place Market called Beecher’s, the vision to do so was born. I would take their grilled cheeses home and pair them with different sauces I found in the cheese department of my local market. The more I paired sauces, the more I loved the idea of doing a cheese plate dining experience in the form of a grilled cheese sandwich. Using high-quality ingredients and creatively combining those ingredients to layer flavors in a way that elevates the simple grilled cheese became the vision.

So in December of 2012, five years after our Seattle stint, many hundreds of grilled cheese combinations made and dozens of investment pitches pitched, I had in hand an empty shipping container that was designed to become Burro Grilled Cheese Kitchen. After waiting four weeks for the rolling chassis to be installed, I rolled up my sleeves and went to work. I knew that I wanted to understand every part of this eatery inside and out, and hand-building was the only way for me. With the help of some amazing family and friends, two months of grinding, welding, cutting, torching, glazing, glass-work and everything else under the construction umbrella, I was able to realize the vision finally and transform the container into a minimal clean-lined aesthetic with full glass front serving area. The goal of elevating the trailer experience was finally there.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Having happy staff that has been with me for years now. No matter what the medium of business is. The positive impact on the people that choose to work with you is the most valuable outcome.

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

Striking a balance between work life and home life! I have two kids, so the juggle of making sure I'm honoring the quality of the time, energy, and care I invest in my workday to its fullest potential while elevating those same things in my personal life. Balance comes through effectively filtering through your true personal and work values.

What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?

The best staff! Properly trained and aligned values of your team will allow you to get time back to devote to family/personal.

Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and best business resources/books?

I love Gary Vaynerchuk for his tenacity and for not accepting the status quo. Huge fan of Aubrey Marcus and Rick Roll for their vision, connection to spirit, and allowance for personal grace.

Where can people find you online?

Website: https://www.burrocheesekitchen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burrocheese/

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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