Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Monica Khalil, owner of SnaptureThis, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

SnaptureThis is a paper goods, floral, and gift shop located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Over the years, the business has also showcased the incredible small businesses across the city and province through the prints. I collaborate with local illustrators on projects which feature small businesses like the cafe scene in the city. I ask permission from all the places I feature, and this has been the product line people adore the most. My customers are usually SUPER caffeinated and the kindest people ever. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing community and have loved all of it.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Monica, and I am the owner of SnaptureThis. I was born in Etobicoke and then moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 7, and moved back to Ontario at the age of 15. I moved to Toronto after university in 2014 and loved this city. I opened SnaptureThis in 2014 on Etsy as a way to showcase my photography and art, and over time I have worked to grow it from the products I create to opening my very own storefront downtown! The biggest motivator is getting to do what I love and dream of doing. I have always loved visiting local gift shops in Toronto and every city I travel to, and now I get to have my very own shop. One of the things I love most is getting to showcase other talents, other illustrators, and other small businesses across the city, province, and hopefully, one day world! In 2022 when I opened my storefront, I brought my best friend along; her focus is on the florals (dried and fresh).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

In 2022 I took the biggest leap and quit my full-time job and opened a storefront in downtown Toronto. It has been a dream of mine for years, and it's surreal that this is my reality. It's also so surreal to see people all over the world decorating their homes with SnaptureThis prints and rocking the tote bags in their photos.

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

One of the hardest things is keeping up with everything. Owning a small business is not just creating beautiful products; there is a ton of work being done in the background, from social media to finances to administrative work. Juggling all of it on top of my personal life can be incredibly challenging, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

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

The biggest tip I would have is to build a community, a truly authentic community. It's easy to get wrapped up in followers on IG or compare yourself to others who have "blown up," but just stay true to yourself and your brand and build a community of like-minded people. The second tip is to use social media to the fullest. It can TRULY make a huge difference. The third would be to connect with other fellow business owners. Learn from each other, lift each other up, and help one another.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Supporting local sounds cliche, and the phrase is thrown around so much, but it's what makes each city so unique. Whether it be from the cafes, we support the restaurants, the flower shops, and more. Support your local shops whenever you can. However, you can. It doesn't even need to be financial; even sharing a post on social or a message to friends helps! Hope you will follow me on Instagram or TikTok and follow my journey as a business owner!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://linkpop.com/snapturethis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snapturethis/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snapturethis

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.