Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shannon Butler, director of Passionate Hospitality Group, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

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

Passionate Hospitality Group is a team of four diverse individuals who have partnered together to provide a variety of culinary and hospitality experiences. Drawing from over 50 years of combined Food & Beverage management experience, Passionate Hospitality Group offers expertise in the operational management of restaurants, wedding & special event catering, event facilities, bakeries, golf course food & beverage, and school cafeterias, arena concessions, commercial, educational and industrial catering.

Our home is in Edmonton, Alberta, but we have traveled throughout our province and beyond to share our services. Our clients are just as multifaceted. It is not uncommon to find any one of our partners offering a fine dining sunset dinner with a romantic view and another partner serving poutine from a food truck. The hospitality industry is about service and guest satisfaction. Our goal is to reach beyond these expectations and create an experience that is memorable, so memorable that our guests return time and time again.

Tell us about yourself

My career path has been fairly diverse; however, many of the positions and experiences have overlapping qualities that transfer naturally to my current role. I started out in the hospitality industry, like many students, as a means to support myself through University. I loved the energy, hustle, challenge, and social interactions. Throughout my years of teaching, many business opportunities have come our way, and I have been involved in a variety of ways. As I have become increasingly involved in our restaurant and events businesses, my enjoyment, awareness, and desire for its' success have multiplied exponentially. Each opportunity for growth: increasing positive interactions, developing systems for efficiency, and overcoming obstacles, have become markers of achievement.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I don't feel I have achieved a 'biggest accomplishment' yet...I'm personally at the early stages as a business owner. A few snapshots of pride that come to however mind are:

  1. Our efforts to work together respectfully as partners, honouring each individual's interests and strengths.
  2. Our efforts to grow and maintain as many wonderful people on our team as possible throughout the pandemic.
  3. The steady increase in the support we are garnering from our efforts to rebrand, rebuild trust and expand our reach to a larger audience.

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

Balancing our vision of what we want to achieve in our businesses within the constraints of time, budget, a global pandemic, and a labour shortage has been a huge struggle. As a business owner, the scale becomes increasingly tipped when trying to balance work and home. In order to be successful, both require you to be present, authentic, and, often, tireless.

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

  1. Learn: get advice, find mentors, collaborate, be open to possibilities.
  2. Plan: develop systems, set goals, envision your end game.
  3. Enjoy: take moments to reflect on how far you have come, embrace the small victories, be grateful.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My first year of teaching, I met an amazing woman who gave me a piece of advice I have never forgotten. She, the mother of one of my students and her three other children, was a full-time nurse, a dedicated mother, volunteered for everything, fundraised for every event, read voraciously, hosted countless dinner parties and book clubs, etc., etc., the list went on. I asked her how she did it? Don't you get exhausted? Her reply was very simple. 'I just want to help make memories.'

I have never forgotten this advice and continually strive as a mother, educator, and friend to create moments and memories to share among my circle. My circle continues to broaden and expand personally and in my developing role in the hospitality business, but interestingly enough, the goal remains the same.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://passionatehospitality.ca/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/enjoywildearthbakery/
https://www.instagram.com/passionatecaterers/
https://www.instagram.com/eventsatenjoy/
https://www.instagram.com/glasshousekitchenbaratenjoy/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-butler-8744191a7/

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.