Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michaela Grob, founder, and owner of Riverdel, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.

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

We are all-vegan cheeses - truly one of a kind! Our customers include people living a vegan lifestyle, but we also cater to people who are lactose intolerant or simply want to cut down on dairy.

Tell us about yourself

I love cheese, and I love animals. Because of my love for animals, I became vegan; I don't believe animals are for us to be eaten and used, which doesn't mean that I don't like good food or cheese. So I started looking for vegan cheese and also making vegan cheese. And one day, I thought, "I wish there would be a vegan cheese shop that's just like any other cheese shop but...vegan! ". That's how it started...it motivates me to know that I'm making a small difference every day but showcasing that vegan food is not boring and that yes, you can still have your cheese too!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Making it through a pandemic!

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

It's 24/7! It's like a baby; even if I am not physically there, it's still on my mind. Which sometimes is a bit much...

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

  1. Be comfortable wearing many hats, from cleaning person to CEO!
  2. Often little things can be very time-consuming, but they might only make up a small amount of your business. Maybe for those tasks, "good enough" will do, and then you can focus your time on where most of your business comes from.
  3. Look for like-minded people to be your support. Friends & family that don't have a business will sometimes find it hard to relate to. But I've made friends in the business community that I reach out to too often, and they will totally understand where I'm coming from...

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Have fun! Having your own business is certainly all-consuming, but it's also fun - don't forget that!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.riverdelcheese.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverdelcheese/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/riverdelcheese

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.