Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eugene Jung, Founder of Skaut Coffee Roasters, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Skaut Coffee Roasters is a Portland-based coffee company inspired to have the best-roasted coffee and share our love for adventuring with our coffee. We roast fresh-to-order in our unique go-style pour-over packs/t-bags and in traditional coffee bags.
Tell us about yourself
Skaut Coffee Roasters began as a pivot from my other small business that was temporarily closed at the beginning of COVID. During this sudden transition, I had the unique opportunity to work at the world's largest e-commerce company fulfilling orders. There, I noticed a pattern emerging - the top two categories of orders were pet food and coffee. This got my entrepreneurial gears working again, and I researched the barriers to entry for pet food manufacturing (a hard no). But entry-level coffee roasting fit my time and budget, so I decided to learn a new skill during COVID. I repurposed the commercial kitchen from my other business that was still closed and learned about coffee roasting on YouTube. Out of a ton of trial and error, Skaut Coffee Roasters was born!
The biggest motivation for Skaut Coffee Roasters is I love trying to get better at my trade, whether it's roasting coffee, marketing, sales, or simply growing Skaut Coffee Roasters that we best see fit! In essence, I love being an entrepreneur and giving my business a personality and culture that we enjoy working in.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We are planning to participate in coffee roasting competitions and hope to have the skills to receive recognition for our roasts. But what I am most proud of is having the guts to start a new business during COVID.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things as a new business owner is the uncertainty of tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. It's a huge adjustment to start a new business and not have the comfort of a paycheck, benefits, PTO, etc., but I firmly believe it is also one of the reasons why I work so hard to reach my goals.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you think you have a brilliant thought, let it marinate for a week or so. If the thought is still there, then work on it.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes
we all do, and you'll never learn without them. - Surround yourself with good people. It's already hard enough to grow a business; don't let toxicity be part of your day.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Being a small business owner is one of the most satisfying and frustrating experiences one can have. I love the Portland small business community, and the support and connections I've made have been wonderful and life-changing!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.skautcoffeeroasters.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skautcoffeeroasters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skautcoffeeroasters/
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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