Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Josh Curley, co-founder of Ottawa Valley Coffee, located in Renfrew, ON, Canada.

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

Our shop is a spot that we consider a community hub where everyone can feel like a home away from home. Free of judgment, everyone is welcome to sip our locally roasted fresh coffee, indulge in one of 80 local-only craft beers, or shop the market filled with local-only hand maker's goods. See the common theme here? Local. We support everything local, including our decor, which has all been upcycled from within the valley. We take pride in our core pillars of community + sustainability + consistency + quality. Every business decision must have these four pillars accounted for.

We are a coffee shop that happens to sell food. Not a restaurant that has coffee. Coffee is number one for us. We take so much pride in providing an amazingly consistent cup of fresh coffee where every shot that is pulled is weighed and timed. Coffee is our jam.

Tell us about yourself

Believe it or not. The pandemic got us first to start working on our business. As a fellow veteran, it was time to look at transitioning out of the military life to be home with the family more often. The pandemic allowed for the planning stages. We are a married couple with three young children, Qwyn (4), Sully (2), and Charlie (3 months), and a loveable German Shepherd named Trigger. With markets closed during the pandemic, Lisa's small business @valleychildclothing had nowhere to sell her goods. We decided to merge the two, and Ottawa Valley Coffee was born in the heart of downtown Renfrew.

Having backpacked all over the world, we would make it a priority to find the best pizza, craft beer, and coffee gems. When I started to think about retiring from military life, it was a no-brainer that we create our own gem of a space that we found missing in the area.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I can't pinpoint just one thing. I think it's the things people have told us or commented on over the past year. We have had members of the pride community tell us they have never been able to sit down in public without fear of judgment until now. Some have mentioned the warm welcoming and people our business attracts make it feel like you're at home. Cliché, but where everyone knows your name kind of vibe.

Giving our staff a stress-free, fair, amazing place to work where everyone is a family and no such chain of command exists has been rewarding. There is no rank system. Everyone has a responsibility, and as owners, we are expected to do all the same things as anyone else. Our plant wall inside the cafe consisting of approximately 50 different plants is a bit of an accomplishment too!

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

The hardest thing is leaving work at the shop. We were extremely invested in the shop, the community, and the team, which means they are always on our minds. This causes us always to be in work mode.

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

  1. Do your research.
  2. Don't try and master everything. Leave certain things to the experts that do it really well.
  3. Ensure you have the right support in place. A special shoutout to Propeller Coffee, who has been an amazing friend, consultant, partner, etc.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Starting a business, in general, isn't easy, especially during a pandemic. We are super grateful for the community that has stood behind us and supported us! A special update! We have recently opened a second location in Arnprior with another local military family!

Lastly, we would like to share that we will be sponsoring several refugees from Ukraine in the coming weeks and months. We will be starting a fundraiser in hopes of obtaining enough financial backing to help with lodging, food, clothing, and medical bills. Keep an eye on our social media if you have anything you might be able to donate!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ottawa-valley-coffee.myshopify.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ottawa-Valley-Coffee-109560184146739/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawavalleycoffee/

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.