Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ivy Ronquillo, owner of Second Mouse Cheese Shop, located in Pleasantville, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own Second Mouse Cheese Shop, a quaint, friendly fine foods store in northern Westchester County, NY. We offer small-batch products in an inviting, comfortable environment where we invite questions and are happy to help both savvy food lovers and those who're less confident in the fine foods world.
Tell us about yourself
Although my love and passion have always been in fine foods, my foundations are in advertising and hospitality. I've had two nearly ten-year stints in the advertising industry, focusing on creative staff management and departmental integrations. In between, I enrolled in culinary school. I strived to work at the best restaurants in NYC to understand the drive and dedication a hyper-competitive environment requires. Second Mouse Cheese Shop was born from a late-night conversation with my husband. Where do we see ourselves in 10 years? What do we want to be doing? 18 months later, I opened my doors.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am entirely self-funded. It's stressful at times and, yes, scary on occasion. But I don't need to answer anyone but myself. That sense of full creative control - and full accountability - is liberating. We operate with full transparency, as well. My staff knows what numbers we're operating with, where we're heading, and when there's a pothole that's caused some damage. With that, I have a happy, loyal team and dedicated, smiling customers. We've nearly doubled sales in less than three years (and during a global pandemic).
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There's no real break when you're a business owner. You're responsible for both staff and customer satisfaction levels. You're responsible for your reputation, your innovativeness, your logistics, and your legal requirements. Every difficult moment must be converted into a learning experience. Every day is a new adventure, for better or worse. It's as invigorating as it is exhausting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be militant with your Me-Time. It will escape you in a blink.
- Pride and Ego can get in the way of progress. Be aware of when your ego becomes too influential.
- You're only as strong as your weakest staff member. Hire and train the right people. Listen to them hear their concerns and their recommendations. Let go of the people who bring you down.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
When you own your business, it's important to remember: You GET to do what you love for a living. What an incredible blessing. Make the most of it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.secondmousecheese.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecondMouseCheese
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondmousecheeseny/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/secondmousecheese/
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.