Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Diane Mina, CEO and Founder of TerraMina LLC., located in Las Vegas, NV, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We produce premium, high quality nonalcoholic bloody mary mixers. Our current range is two blends, "Diane's Original Bloody Mary Mixer" and "Dirty Diane's Jalapeno Mixer." Each one is made with 100% Italian tomato passata (puree), blended with artisan spices and citruses that can be mixed with various alcoholic spirits or as a delicious stand-alone beverage. Our category of customers ranges from the at-home consumer to restaurant and hotel professional bartenders and chefs.
Tell us about yourself
I've been in the hospitality business for over three decades and have formed a restaurant company with my husband called, The Mina Group based out of San Francisco, California. My love and passion for serving others ignite my drive to create and develop new experiences for our customers and family staff. I do what I do because I consider it a blessing and gift to make someone's dining experience one to remember for their lifetime.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Opening up a restaurant company with my husband and being able to create a business from ground zero to 2000 employees that without them, we would not thrive or be able to do what we love in hospitality. Going through the trenches with your team humbly and making sure everyone that is contributing to this vision feels valued and respected. Leading and mentoring others is an important part of human development and growth. You must also appreciate the failures as well as the successes - learning the difference between the two and not getting stuck in one way or the other. Balance is essential, along with faith, knowledge, and doing lots of research on the concept or company you envision.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Not letting those that may have a different agenda or vision block yours. Always be open to others; however, learn your own craft and style first and build from there. There's no learning cap as an entrepreneur because you never stop learning, and you never stop building. You start by surrounding yourself with others who 100% have your best interest at heart, but it can quickly get confusing and sometimes problematic as each person you involve naturally adopts a feeling of ownership. Be clear to yourself and others when you start gathering your support and resource team, as that will immediately set the tone.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Immerse yourself in your vision. Write your thoughts, roadblocks, barriers to entry and, put them on paper and ask for assistance with a formalized business plan for your product or company. Do research on where your product works in the marketplace.
- Be open to change, as your first vision will reshape as it grows. Be prepared to self-invest in your own vision, as that shows the seriousness of your company. As an entrepreneur, you must invest in yourself first, as others will see your investment is both with passion but also show your character and seriousness for any else who may be investing and/or partnering with.
- You must be emotionally connected to your vision as it inevitably will reshape as you grow; however, you MUST be flexible and open to redirect as both the people you work with may change, and the product itself may need tweaking. Do not get bogged down or blurred with your first thought... Stay the course of the vision, goal, and purpose of the why.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.dianemina.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianesbloodymary/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianesbloodymary/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-mina-639b19a7/
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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