Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dawn Arnold, Owner of Sugared Spoon, LLC., located in Wake Forest, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Sugared Spoon, LLC. My brand Savory Spoon is the focus of our website. We specialize in cheese straws, savory snacks, and spice blends.
Tell us about yourself
I started out by baking goodie boxes at Christmas for family, friends, and some elderly people in my community. I would include lots of sweets and always included my cheese straws. I always said that one day I would have a bakery because I loved being in the kitchen and working with good food and good ingredients. Over time, as my passion grew, I gained more skills and officially started my business in 2018. I continued to work as a radiation therapist and bake on the side until I grew my business enough to leave in 2022 to pursue this dream full-time. I love creating sweet and savory treats that remind people of special times growing up. Creating those flavors that bring you back home to the place those memories were made. Cheese straws are one of those items, and that is one of our specialties.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My current biggest accomplishment is having my cheese straws and spice blends in retail stores.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is managing all the business aspects of owning a food business. While I love to bake, there is so much more to owning a business than being in the kitchen and creating great food.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top 3 tips I would offer:
- Build relationships and connections with other entrepreneurs that can help you get started. Other business owners can offer valuable advice through your journey.
- Understand that it could take several years to get your business off the ground. Most people are not successful overnight...give yourself some grace and enjoy the journey that you are on.
- You will likely make some bad decisions through the process, learn and grow from them and keep moving forward.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.savoryspoonnc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savoryspoonspices
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savoryspoonspices/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-arnold-5305a573/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.