Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ann Thornton, Owner of SIMPLY CHEESE., located in Winter Park, FL, USA.

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

SIMPLY CHEESE. is a cheese shop that has so much to offer- We cut cheese straight from the wheel, we have accouterments galore, we have home goods that are great for gifts and entertaining, and we’ve recently started selling wine and Florida craft beer. In addition to our retail offerings, we also make cheese and charcuterie cups, boxes, and boards for ordering, and we host events such as Cheese Board 101 and Wine and Cheese Night.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up in the Midwest, it was VERY normal for cheese to make an
appearance at every family gathering. If there wasn’t a cheeseball at
grandma’s house, something wasn’t right. But while cheese was always a
part of my life, I never really looked at it as an option for a way to make a
living….until a couple of years ago.

When the world was sort of turned upside down in 2020, it really hit me that life is short, and we should do what makes us happy, do what we love, and do what makes us our best selves. While I thought about this a lot, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what that “thing” was for me. While up in Michigan visiting family, we stopped into a local cheese shop, and that’s when it hit me; this is what I want to do, what I need to do. And that was the beginning of SIMPLY CHEESE.

From the moment we opened the doors to now, one of my major motivators is my customers. I love getting to know the people in our community, conversations with them completely re-energize me, and when I hear how happy they are to have a shop like this locally, it fills me with pride and makes me push myself to do better and be better for them!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This question makes me laugh a little inside because it makes me think of everything my husband and I went through to get our physical store up and going. We basically did everything ourselves, built the shelves, the tables, the counters, and the tile floor, and picked every product...so up to this point, that feels like my biggest accomplishment, all of the researching, planning, and hard work that went into making this dream a reality.

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

I have two little boys (3 and 5 yo), and the long hours and working weekends can be difficult, as it takes time away from them. One thing I’ve had to learn, and it still takes intentionality, is to be very present when I am with them. The work is never done when you’re a business owner, and you have to make time for your family- to be present with them and give them the best version of you.

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

  1. Don’t rush into things! Do your research, consult with experts, make a plan, look at all angles and make sure you are prepared.
  2. Things need to get done; they don’t need to be perfect. While you need to not rush through things, you also have to be able to take the next step and move forward. Things will not always be perfect-the classes I’m planning can always be tweaked; I can always spend more time picking what cheeses I’ll carry, but at some point, you just have to stop and put it out there.
  3. Listen to your customers. Once you put something out there, listen to your customers; they will have feedback for you! You don’t need to stray from your vision, but they may have ideas/opinions that could help develop and better what you’ve put out there. Your business will only be your business as long as you have customers-so. Do what you can to make them happy and deliver what it is they’re looking for.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://simplycheesefl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCheeseFL/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycheesefl/

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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