Cultural Beverages with a Purpose Since 1910 - Soldadera
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mario Rodriguez, CEO of Soldadera, located in Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Soldadera was inspired by the women who took up arms during the Mexican revolution of 1910 called, "Soldaderas" which translates to female soldiers. The scarcity of the battlefield leads the Soldaderas to develop an energy drink using coffee and spices in clay pots called "Cafe de Olla' or coffee of the pot. Their will to bring change and rights to women inspire the feminist movement in Mexico. Soldadera brings the same energy, the same recipe but in cold brew form. Our mission is to inspire the next generation, bring unique cultural beverages that are missing in the market and spread our love for coffee.
Tell us about yourself
Interestingly enough, my field of work was in the automotive industry, as a Product Design Release engineer in Fiat Chrysler Automotive, aka Stellantis. On a business trip to Saltillo, Mexico, I went to a restaurant and ordered a coffee. Not knowing what I had called the moment I took a sip, it transported me back to my young days (age of 8) when I would help my grandmother bring coffee to the community on Sunday morning in Mexico. This simple memory of my grandmother inspired me to develop Soldadera. Little did I know Cafe de Olla had such a vast history that history never told.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As business owners, our biggest accomplishment is developing a Brand around our family history and culture that inspires others to make a difference or at least start a conversation on inequality.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things has been expanding and scaling our business. As the market is changing and prices are rising. Keeping the cost of high-quality cold brew.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Plan ahead always. This will save you time and money.
- Be as straightforward as possible with the expectations of your team. Ensure you have the right skills to reduce mistakes or find the correct help.
- Make sure you are having fun. If your company is not fun for you, you won't put all your energy and soul into it. People forget that besides the money, it becomes like a job if it is not fun. At Soldadera, our motto is " Work as a hobby, not as a Job."
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
As Soldadera expands nationally in the US through its new distributors and adds Tepache (Mexican Style kombucha), it is always important to ask yourself where do you see your company and if you are still bringing value to your customers.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://soldaderacoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Soldaderacoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soldaderacoffee/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soldaderacoffee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soldadera-beverages/
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.