Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachael Lucas, founder of Cheese Lady Loves Wine LLC., located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called Cheese Lady Loves Wine LLC, but most people refer to me and my business (legally so) as The Cheese Lady. I am essentially an organoleptic tour guide--I take people on palatal journeys through cheese and other fermented ingestible.
Tell us about yourself
I have been a cheese professional for about a decade, and I have gotten to the point where I want to source the highest quality cheese from small producers where humane animal husbandry is practiced. I don't want to support industrial cheesemaking anymore, so it inspired me to start my own business. I bring the good cheese to the people. I also started studying wine at the onset of COVID and am now a certified wine specialist. I spend most of my personal time chasing organoleptic, and it has come to my attention that others want this experience, too. So I am here to give it to them!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
So far, my biggest accomplishment is having started the business in the first place. It's scary to step out on one's own, especially nowadays with so much up in the air. But if we don't do the scary things, we'll never grow, will we? I have taken great pleasure in experiencing people's reactions after they are filled up on delicious cheese. And they always want to know when is the next opportunity for them to get to taste my cheese again.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is not knowing if the business will even succeed. But if I don't try, then I surely won't succeed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Plan your work. Work your plan. Never quit.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My ultimate goal is to have my own cheese and wine shop. Starting a small, mobile business is a great way to get my foot in the door, make clients and contacts, and inch my way towards my end game while not putting all of my eggs in one insecure basket.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cheeseladyloveswinellc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.lucas/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheeseladyloveswineseattle/
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.