Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Klay Welter, co-owner of Proof Donuts & Coffee, located in Billings, MT, USA.

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

I am one of the founders/owners of Proof Donuts & Coffee, which is a new gourmet donut shop in Billings, Montana. I've never been able to fully answer the question of who our customers are because, frankly, our customers seem to be everyone! We see people from all walks of life come through our doors to get donuts and coffee. Originally it was just morning people, but now we are convincing a few more people to get out of bed in the morning to come see us.

Tell us about yourself

I am 28 years old and originally from Lockwood. I thought for years growing up that I wanted to leave this city. Now I'm proud to say that I own two businesses here, and I am so happy that I stayed. I'm grateful that I have gotten to travel a lot and have experienced bigger city trends that haven't made it here to Montana just yet.

When I had the time to be on the road with my family and friends, I often found myself in two places. Those were hole in the wall taco joints and donut shops. So I always thought it would be so cool if someone brought a gourmet donut shop to Billings so that I didn't have to be on vacation to seek it out. It wasn't until later down the road that it occurred to me that maybe I could be the guy to open one up in my hometown. So here we are four years later with our first storefront, and things couldn't be better.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I haven't accomplished much yet. But, opening the doors to Proof for the first time still has to be at the top of that list. It was a surreal moment to see my closest friends and family come into the shop to see it. Especially after most of them had been listening to me talk about it for years before this. Realizing that my vision wasn't just me being crazy was also very relieving! Still, today being in the shop every day with my partners and my team is such an amazing feeling. Even if the doors to Proof were to close tomorrow, I would still be so proud of what we did and who I did it with.

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

Honestly, the anxiety of the business constantly being on your mind and developing the ability to turn it off. It's hard not to constantly be thinking about the business, the loads of things I need to take care of, profitability, employees, social media, product development, menu creation, and all the other things that come with it. But, the reality of it is that we all have lives outside of our businesses that we need to tend to as well. In my mind, the business success doesn't mean anything if I turn around and have nobody to share it with. So being able to leave work sometimes and come home to be in the moment is tougher than it sounds.

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

  1. Build a team that makes up for your weaknesses. If you think you don't have any weaknesses, you're going to need a bigger team.
  2. Don't give in to the feelings of imposter syndrome. It happens to everyone, and you have to learn to overcome it. If someone tells you they have never encountered this, then you have just met a liar. Your business is good enough, and so are you!
  3. Always remember why you came and have fun with it. Trevan Sparboe, my business partner, always reminds me that if we aren't enjoying what we are doing, then we have lost sight of why we started in the first place.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I never thought that someone would want to interview me for anything. Never thought someone would want to write a piece on my business, but here we are. So, if you're reading this, then use this as some encouragement to go try that thing you have been crazy about. Maybe, just maybe, it isn't that crazy after all. As my brother, Tyler, would say, "Sometimes you just gotta send it!".

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProofDonutsCoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proofdonutscoffee/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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