Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Fernando Diaz, founder of Proyecto Diaz Coffee, located in San Leandro, CA, USA.

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

We're a coffee roasting company whose mission is to rebuild and revitalize coffee farming legacies. We roast top-notch coffee's from Latin America, always from small lot farmers! We have customers that range from local coffee shops, big tech companies, and of course, the neighbor next door!

Tell us about yourself

I love coffee because it's a family endeavor. My family has been growing coffee for over 100 years, and I wanted to be part of that legacy. Shortly after college, I decided I wanted to continue this long tradition of coffee and take it to the next level...roasting coffee! I've seen how hard it is for the producer to make a sustainable living, but they continue with such love that that's inspired me to keep working harder and harder.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been our ability to scale from a three-person team to a ten-person team. My second biggest accomplishment has been to have almost my full immediate family work for us. My wife and my father work with me; the only person missing is my mom.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner is that you're so emotionally invested in the business that you feel every little bump on the road. It's hard to disconnect many times and look at the accomplishments rather than what needs to improve.

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

  1. Be laser-focused on your "why."
  2. Be consistent and works towards being consistently better.
  3. Focus on the wins uses the losses as opportunities to get even more wins.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I love being an entrepreneur because of the crash course it's given me to see what it takes to get a business off the ground and thrive. It's something no schooling could have ever given me. It's a constant opportunity to sharpen my skills and creativity.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.proyectodiazcoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProyectoDiaz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proyectodiaz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/proyectodiaz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proyecto-diaz-coffee/

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.