Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brian Hirsch, president of Proper Beverage Co., located in Hudsonville, MI, USA.

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

Proper Beverage Co. is an aluminum canned Beverage co-manufacturer focusing on start-up & emerging brands. We have helped scores of new beverage innovators bring their projects to life thru dedicated partnership and service. Our ability to help with procurement, manufacturing, and shipping allows the brand owner to focus on their growth and success. With core values based on quality communication and flexibility, Proper Beverage Co. helps put "Big Dreams Into Small Cans."

Tell us about yourself

I have been with Proper Beverage Co for a little over two years. I joined my business partner and long-time friend in the business to help scale growth and commercialization. The best part of my day is speaking with new brand owners, understanding their vision, and helping develop plans to make them come to fruition. Their level of excitement and enthusiasm permeates the conversation, which inevitably gives me a boost for the day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment to date has been helping to bring our new plant online and operating with a fantastic team to oversee and run its production. We began the process in 2019, then had to contend with all the hurdles that a COVID 2020 thru at us - but in the end, we saw it thru, and ended with not only a terrific plant but a genuinely talented team to run it.

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

The unparalleled highs and the devastating lows - which can happen more than a few times a week! As a business owner, you feel each end of the spectrum much more than an employee. Knowing you have entire families depending on their employment and the business's success is a daunting responsibility that one doesn't truly understand until you are doing it.

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

  1. Know your numbers. Too many good ideas or great products/services fail because people don't take the time to drill down truly and fully appreciate and understand the penny their cogs or margin requirements.
  2. Have a solid financial team. I cannot express this one enough. Idea people, salespeople, operation managers are all necessary, but as a business owner, having a person or team whose sole job is to run the numbers, understand them, and utilize the metrics is the critical job in a company.
  3. Capital - I approach this one using an old Boy Scout saying regarding firewood. "Collect as much as you think you need...then double it." Because like firewood, particularly in the growth stage, you are going to burn thru your capital much faster than you planned.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Running a small business is an incredibly challenging and yet rewarding endeavor which, as my wife once said to me, "will give a lifetime of lessons in a very short time."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://properbeverage.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianphirsch/

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.