Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nathanael Johnson, owner of Rêve Coffee Roasters, located in Lafayette, LA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a specialty micro coffee roaster where we roast to order, so nothing sits on the shelve, getting old and tasteless. But besides even the quality that we care about so much, we also care more about the culture our stores create. We call our Reve stores “labs” because we believe in creating something you have never experienced at any other coffee shop. Our staff mocktail-created signature drinks (think high-end mocktail coffee and tea drinks) will never disappoint. We also do all in-house pastries and food. We are, at our core, striving to be creative and passionate in our craft!
Tell us about yourself
Well, I first started thinking about opening a shop in my home small home town because we had nothing really to do. I loved coffee shops and what they cultivated; I was intrigued. So I opened my first shop when I was 21 because I wanted to elevate our community, and for me, there is no better way to share that than over a coffee. What keeps me going is that coffee, from its origin, was used to keep monks up to pray. For me, having these shops and roasting coffee is providing something bigger than myself.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think simply being able to be in business for over 15 years is, to this day, makes me very humbled.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think turning off your mind and living in the moment. The reason I think it’s this way is that I am always looking for the next business adventure. It makes it hard to give attention to the people you love, and I would say that is the most important thing is the people around you. What good is it to “gain the world but lose your soul.”
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Get systems in place, never let your situation dictate who you are, and run it like you will franchises it regardless if you plan to or not.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don’t be afraid to fail. I always say, “failures are light-post to success.”
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://revecoffeeroasters.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReveCoffeeRoasters/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revecoffeeroasters/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reveroasters
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.
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