Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michael McMaster, Owner of Symbiotik Kombucha, located in Denver, CO, USA.

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

We are a craft kombucha company focused on brewing high-quality kombucha that fits into a healthy, active lifestyle. Our kombucha can be found around the Denver/Boulder area at restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. We also provide home deliveries throughout the Denver community.

Tell us about yourself

I've been in the hospitality business for 25 years and have always had a passion for food and beverage. I was gifted a SCOBY years ago and started homebrewing for the fun of it. I fell in love instantly and began working on flavor combinations and recipes. I knew I wanted to create unique flavors that were low in sugar, made with organic ingredients, and provided some beneficial nutrition.

We love making kombucha as much as we love drinking kombucha!  We believe kombucha should be in every restaurant, grocery store, and shop in every town in America. We are always striving to make the best kombucha possible and are always challenging ourselves to produce unique flavors that stand out in the market.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We are humbled and grateful to have our kombucha in so many wonderful Denver restaurants, cafes, and bars. We pride ourselves in producing low-sugar, organic kombucha, and we've been wowed by the reception we've received from our customers.

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

The ups and downs of running a business are no joke. The highs are some of the best days of your life, and at the other end, the lows make you question everything. The bumps in the road come out of nowhere and humble you. You have to learn to go with the flow, work through difficult problems, not get dismayed, and keep moving forward.

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

  1. Make sure you love what you do! Running a business is indeed a labor of love. It is as challenging and difficult as it is rewarding and fun. Choose something that you're passionate about and something that you know you'll enjoy spending "all" your time doing.
  2. Do as much work and research before launching your business as you can. Once the business is up and running, time seems to disappear, and tasks/problems start to compound. Make sure you have a good runway before launching!
  3. Find time to decompress away from business stuff. There are no days off, and the work is never completed. Finding balance is key to sustaining the business and your mental health, so make sure to take breaks and enjoy other aspects of life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.symbiotikombucha.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symbiotikombucha/

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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