Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chanala Rubenfeld, Founder of Salads 2 Your Door, located in Chesterfield, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Salads 2 Your Door is a weekly salad delivery service. Every Sunday evening, 5 different, artisan, full-meal salads are delivered to our customer's doors. Our customers are busy professionals that are health-minded and appreciate the convenience and consistency of always having a healthy meal on hand without having to think about it, never mind the shopping, prepping, cooking, etc. involved.
Tell us about yourself
I am an Integrative Nutritional Health Coach and mom of six boys. Salads 2 Your Door was started accidentally. I made an offer to three of my nutritional health coaching clients. I offered to make them five full-meal salads for the ENTIRE week and deliver them on Monday morning. Studies have shown that adding greens to your daily diet on a consistent basis significantly reduces cravings and promotes weight loss.
I figured with 5 salads in their fridge; they'd always be prepared by having a salad on hand, ready to "grab and eat" at any given moment, for every single day of the week. There would be no more reasons for excuses of not having time or energy to prepare a healthy salad, and they'd be able to start reaping the nutritional benefits of eating FRESH produce daily.
As they say, the rest is history. They loved it so much because they immediately saw and felt the benefits and told their friends and family. Suddenly I was getting tons of requests to deliver salads, and through word of mouth, my Salads 2 Your Door business was born. I love being able to make a significant impact in people's lives. I never imagined I would be doing this, but the feedback from our customers is so rewarding.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is franchising our business, which is something I could never have dreamed of doing.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I think the hardest part of being a business owner is learning when and how to delegate, but it's also one of the most important things as a business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I think the most important thing to keep in mind when you are starting a business is to know that success doesn't happen overnight. Most often, we only see the success of a business, and rarely do we see the mistakes, growing pains, challenges, and hardships that it took to get there. I think knowing that is so important when someone starts a business.
This would lead me to my second tip: I don't give up so quickly. Consistency is key. Keep doing what works well. It's easy to get distracted by other people's success. Celebrate your wins, stay focused on your success and keep at it. It will pay off!
Have the best customer service. Treat your customers like family, the way you would want to be treated. It's all about relationships. Mistakes in your business will happen. Guaranteed. When you make your customer feel that you have a relationship with them and that they are important to you beyond their dollars, they will overlook your mistakes and stay lifelong, loyal customers. Sometimes this outlook might impact your bottom dollar in the short term, but in the big picture, you will create loyal and lifelong customers, creating a successful business. Remember, your customers ARE your business. Your product or service is useless if you don't have the customers to consume it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.salads2yourdoor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salads2yourdoor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salads2yourdoor/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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