Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anisha Blodgett, owner of Powerhaus Wholesome Pizza & Eats, located in San Diego, CA, USA.

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

I opened Powerhaus in January 2019 with the goal of making eating healthy both simple and enjoyable for my community. I started Powerhaus after seeking to find a better balance between going to the gym daily, eating "clean" all week, then guiltily ordering a thin-crust pizza from the likes of Domino's. I literally took pizza-making into my own hands, and the idea for Powerhaus was born. At Powerhaus, we believe eating well is more than a green salad that is x-, y- and z-free. We believe eating well is about enhancing food to its highest potential and being creative, and developing a sustainable diet that we crave. One major distinction between Powerhaus and traditional pizza places is the quality of ingredients and the use of superfoods, and the addition of plant-based protein throughout the menu.

Our primary customer demographic is comprised of fitness enthusiasts and professionals throughout San Diego. They work hard to maintain their physiques. My fitness trainer eats our gluten-free dairy-free pizza almost daily as it fuels his athletic lifestyle! Our secondary demographic is comprised of young families who love Powerhaus because of the ability to feed their children pizza, knowing that it is nourishing their growing bodies with nutrients and protein. Our third demographic is young professionals who don't have time to make healthy meals at home and know that they are eating high-quality, nourishing foods when they dine with Powerhaus. Finally, we are located in a highly seasonal neighborhood, where tourists really enjoy our unique take on pizzas!

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in Canada and graduated from Ivey Business School's Honours in Business Administration program in 2013. After graduating, I moved to New York City, where I worked in commercial real estate as an acquisitions and asset management analyst for two pension funds. My interest in commercial real estate and development projects led me to complete a Masters's in Construction Management at University College London in London, UK. Throughout my adult life, health and fitness has been an important part of my daily nutrition and activities. The industry was in its early stages. When I moved to San Diego, I knew it was the right opportunity to start a wellness business. The inspiration for Powerhaus is our whole-grain crust. As a vegetarian, I can consume over 50g of protein in one pizza – it's one of the few options for me to achieve my protein and nutrition goals!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am really encouraged that I've built a successful brand and business when I hear that people, in seemingly random situations, have tried and love Powerhaus. For example, I was vacationing in Huntington Beach and telling my companion what I do for work. The couple dining behind us overheard our conversation. It approached me to inform me that they used to live in San Diego and were frequent visitors because they love our concept!

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

My biggest challenge since opening continues to be reliance on Team Members showing up for shifts and the high turnover in the restaurant industry (especially while COVID unemployment benefits were being offered). What's been important for Powerhaus' success is recognizing, appreciating, and retaining strong team members integral to Powerhaus' day-to-day operations.

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

  1. Don't compromise on taking care of yourself. If you are not in a strong mental state, then you can't be a strong leader, and your team feeds off your energy. For me, this has resulted in me making the tough decision to forego sales and close Powerhaus multiple days a week during periods of being short-staffed.
  2. Work in the industry you're looking to start a business before opening your own, so you know exactly what the demands and day-to-day will look like.
  3. Work with a business coach with experience in your industry. I really benefit from being in industry-specific masterminds and group coaching programs. Having a community of like-minded individuals who push me to be better is important from a support standpoint as well as for personal development.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.powerhauspizza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhausPizza/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhauspizza/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhaus-pizza-smoothies/

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.