Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Adam Monaghan, co-founder, and COO of Succulent Coffee Roasters, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Succulent Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roasting company based in Southern California. We help people drink delicious coffee they can feel good about. We started Succulent Coffee Roasters knowing it could be a positive force in our community, our industry, and our world, so our philosophy is "Doing Good, Brewing Good." We do good by making sure our activities create something positive in the world. We brew good by striving for the highest standards of excellence in everything we create...including delicious coffee for our customers!
Tell us about yourself
I was at the right place at the right time when my friends asked me to help them co-found Succulent Coffee Roasters about four years ago. Every day since then has been an adventure. I'm a lifelong learner, so I relish the opportunity to grow, to learn something new, and to teach somebody something I've learned. Being a business owner gives me that. No two days are alike, and no matter how much I plan or try to control my time, things always end up taking their own turn.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My business partners and I have created a business that allows us to support the communities and causes we care about. We've built a high-quality coffee roasting program that I would put up against any roaster in the country. And we're on the verge of opening our third cafe within three years of launching our company. All of those achievements pale in comparison to the joy I take in seeing our team collaborate and create incredible things without us. It's amazing to provide the space and inspiration to others and see the cool things they make, and I can't wait to see what happens as we continue to grow.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is time management. It feels like there are a million competing priorities at any given time, so deciding what to focus on can be challenging. Sometimes I focus on the right things, and sometimes I don't. Making mistakes comes with the territory, so I'm working on being comfortable with seeing the "mistakes" as lessons to help me focus on the right thing next time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Number one is to find something you love and do it. It's a trite saying, but it's 100 percent true. Working on something you want to be working on brings you joy. You then share that joy with those around you. When you love what you are doing, you are also more creative, and you work harder.
Number two is that no matter what you do, you have to work hard and bring your "A" game every day. If you're a hard worker and have a positive attitude, chances are good things will come your way.
Number three is to recognize serendipity and seize the moment. If you go through life on autopilot without a sense of wonder and gratitude for the world around you, you probably won't recognize the opportunities life brings your way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.succulentcoffeeroasters.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Succulentcoffeeroasters/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/succulentcoffeeroasters/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/succulent-coffee-roasters/
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.