Welcome to the Wilderness™

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tracy Little, Chef of Sauvage, located in Canmore, AB, Canada.

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

Sauvage is a restaurant in Canmore, Alberta. Off a side street in this quiet mountain town, we have a converted miner's home where we provide tasting menus from locally foraged ingredients and goods from local farmers and fishermen under the soft glow of quiet lights.

Tell us about yourself

At the beginning of the pandemic, I purchased a great local restaurant called Tapas. Throughout the pandemic struggle of closings and openings, I slowly molded into my dream. We want to be one of the best restaurants in Canada, and we pursue this goal daily with our unique take on Canadian cuisine and using foraged ingredients.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To date, being recognized as one of the top restaurants in Alberta, as well as being an "up-and-coming Chef to watch in Canada" (Globe and Mail, October 2022), are some of my biggest accomplishments so far. Completely changing an establishment during the world turmoil that we all just went through was extremely challenging, and to be honest, the after-effects of it and associated continued challenges make me proud just to have a great restaurant day after day.

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

Having a small business is difficult because of all the plates that you have to keep spinning and all the hats that you have to wear. I have had to learn everything from basic plumbing and electrical to learning the signs of when a staff member is in need of help, but they haven't been able to reach out. You are the backbone of your business and have to learn how to be incredibly strong and agile to deal with the unimaginable challenges that you will have to face. Like really, I never dreamed of some of the things I have had to overcome.

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

Make a great network, and never be shy to introduce yourself. Whether joining your local Chamber of Commerce or just meeting people when you can, networks offer the opportunity to gain resources from learning skills, obtaining loans, or even meeting a reliable HVAC tradesperson.
Never stop learning. Whether you're researching more about the market, the product you offer, or suppliers, go into everything you do willing to learn. And that goes for your mistakes too, because you will make a lot, and you have to dust yourself off and get going again. Don't also forget that you will have to relearn what you believe to be your personal boundaries in regard to work hours; the business becomes your life.
Be prepared. From a firm plan to a fiscal nest egg or being more adaptable than you ever thought you would have to be, being prepared is essential for your success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sauvagerestaurant.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildlittlechef
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sauvagecanmore/

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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