Hand Crafted, With Love-Sarah's Staples & Premium Preserves

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Klipper, founder of Sarah's Staples & Premium Preserves, located in North Saanich, BC, Canada.

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

I am the sole creator and producer for Sarah's Staples & Premium Preserves. Whenever possible, I handcraft small-batch jams and condiments, using minimal added sugars and local produce and suppliers. You can find me through social media, in person at various farmer's markets on Southern Vancouver Island throughout the year, as well as on the shelf at a few local small businesses in the Saanich Peninsula region, near Victoria.

Please note- my new website, www.sarahsstaples.ca, will be finished near the end of March 2022, and I can always be contacted through the media links provided in this article.

Tell us about yourself

Seven years ago, a friend invited me over to make jam and pickles for the first time. I had no canning experience prior to this day. I loved the methodical process of taking large quantities of produce and working them down into cute little jars. I have always been a fan of meticulous procedures (like folding laundry and rolling coins), so this new hobby fell right into line with those tendencies. The aspect that appealed to me the most, though, was being able to control the quality of the ingredients involved in the recipes. When you create a product yourself, you have the freedom to choose local or homegrown ingredients when things are in season, or higher quality pectin, or reduce the sugar content.

I am about to begin my 4th year in the farmers' market circuit. I love this platform has allowed me to play with my offerings and slowly evolve my passion from hobby to small business while meeting so many members within my local community and gaining instant, live feedback about what I create and what people want more of.

Now that I have been at this for several years, I have made many local connections with farmers and landowners who offer me the bounty from their soils. Whenever possible, I do my best to source local first. This is why several of my flavors are seasonal, depending on what is on hand or in abundance from year to year.

I also choose to only use natural citrus pectin in all of my jam products. This allows me to reduce the volume of sugar content in my jams without compromising the set consistency or adding any additional sweeteners or preservatives. This is also why several of my jams are more tart than traditional commercial jams and allow the fruit flavor to be the star in every bite.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Now that I have had a few years to play and slowly grow my business at a manageable rate, I feel like I have achieved a maintainable work/ home life balance. I am able to do the majority of my scheduled work during school hours or in the evenings, and this allows me to be more present than ever for my family.

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

Time management and task organization are so important for anyone who wants to start up any business. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the little things and let tasks fall through the cracks or forget them altogether.

I use a combination of lists, my calendar, and several sticky notes at any given time to help keep my days productive and on track while cutting back on the mental clutter of trying to remember it all.

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

It is ok to say "no" if something doesn't feel right, if it doesn't align with what you are trying to create, or if it's simply too much to take on. New challenges and opportunities will come and go, but if you are no longer enjoying what it is you have chosen to do (at least most of the time), then it's time to evaluate what might not be working. Passing on one opportunity because it's not the right time to take on more does not mean that you won't be able to grow in another area later on. Having a solid foundation to build on is more important than growing quickly and then burning out.
Just because you can do everything doesn't mean that you have to or that you should. Be clear about what is important to you, and play to your strengths. I have learned several new business-related skills as I have grown over the past few years, but certain aspects (bookkeeping and website development, for example) are areas where it is a better use of my time to outsource to the experts than to add one more thing to my personal to-do list. I am capable of learning these skills and managing those areas as well. Still, it's a faster process for those who already excel in these categories with a better end result for me to utilize their talents. It allows for me to spend more time in the kitchen, where I enjoy that creative process so much more.
Trust your gut. The beauty of being a small business creator is that you have the freedom to roll with what feels right. Listen to that instinct; it is usually right!

Don't forget to set aside time for yourself, like you would for any other important appointment! Especially for those who are starting up as a one-person show- you must remember that if you aren't running in a productive capacity, both your business and your personal life can feel the consequences. It is also so important to remember the why behind what you are doing. If you can't remember your drive, then you may lose your spark for what you do.

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahsstaples
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahsstaples/

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.