Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Candace Tierney, founder of Oat & Mill, located in Colborne, ON, Canada.

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

With the taste of parlour shop ice cream, Oat & Mill is lusciously vegan and dairy-free.

Tell us about yourself

Oat & Mill came about from wishing I could have an ice cream that tasted undeniably rich and creamy and reminded me of the local parlour shop I went to growing up. After going dairy-free, I started making my own recipe at home for a dairy-free version of ice cream. It was challenging to replicate the taste I had imagined and remembered. It wasn't until I was cooking oatmeal for breakfast on the stove one day that I realized how creamy oats were and saw the potential to make them into something reminiscent of the ice cream I had missed. I grew my company from the Carp Farmer's Market on Saturdays to expanding onto grocery store shelves.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building an incredible, supportive team that keeps me motivated and moving forward!

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

One of the most challenging things I feel a business owner faces today is finding your community and support system. Small business owners have to make difficult decisions constantly to keep their business afloat and moving in the right direction. Often this process can feel like the road less taken or "going it alone." As a business owner, you aren't constantly surrounded by coworkers and team members. You're often on your own and making big decisions. It's important to find your community and connect with other small business owners that can provide a second opinion and support through tough times.

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

  1. Get to know yourself. What does your ideal day-to-day life look like? Who do you want to be surrounded by? Understanding yourself will help guide your vision for your business.
  2. Create a community. Reach out and ask for help; put yourself out there.
  3. Write down what you value most in life. The reality is most small business owners don't have a separation of work from personal life; it's all integrated and often messy. Identify your values and set healthy boundaries that help guide you in creating the business and life you want.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Please feel free to reach out to me! I love talking with new and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.oatandmill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oatandmill
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oatandmill/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oatandmill

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.