Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tevletz Barhany, Founder of Tsion Cafe, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

We provide healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals that incorporate Ethiopian, Mediterranean, African, and Caribbean cuisines. Our customers are health-conscious consumers, appreciative of the value of African food, appreciative of a sustainable approach to living, vegans, vegetarians seeking gluten-free options and consumers of food as medicine, are conscious of where they spend money, are supportive of small businesses, appreciate art and live music, especially jazz and enjoys a wholesome retreat when consuming sustenance.

Tell us about yourself

We are a company that serves to bring different people together to enjoy each other's company and learn about each other, respecting each other's origin and culture. We have decided to use food as our medium of bringing people together. We started out when we met while I was living over at an Ethiopian Restaurant. We started a non-profit that spoke to the history and legacy of Ethiopian Jews, navigating life in Israel and changing the perspective of American Jews to Jews of color. This led us to Tsion Cafe, a sacred space where the mind, body, and soul could be nourished. Our goal was to create a space where healthy, nutritious food was available. We did not want to add another unhealthy eating space in Harlem. We have both lived in Harlem for over 20 years and feel at home here; we must protect it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment was surviving the pandemic. As well as learning the lesson that it has taught us. The very nature of our business model was at-risk. We encourage eating with your hand and communal eating, even performing "gursha" -- a show of affection practiced in Ethiopia of one person feeding another with their hands. We had to pivot against what we held dear, social consumption, communal eating, and then go to the on-the-go self-contained consumption process. This was quite a departure from who we were, but we did. We also benefited from the George Floyd demonstrations for justice and equal rights as companies sought to address the lack of diversity. We applied to grants and programs that supported us financially and also introduced us to networks for improving marketing, branding, packaging, and for general operational advice. This was indispensable and gratefully taken advantage of.

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

Having to do everything. That does not mean not having staff. But unless you have people around you that have bought in or totally committed to your cause, you will have to be the one responsible for thinking up everything that needs to be done, as well as making sure it's done to your liking. At the same time, it's difficult to delegate tasks sometimes, knowing in the back of the mind it can only be done your way. Letting go of that sentiment, trusting those around you, and allowing for growth takes time but is a necessary part of growth as a business owner.

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

  1. When you are considering entering into your business, also think at the same time of how you are going to get out. Think through what's your ultimate goal, make it reachable, and know when you have completed it. Think through what's next.
  2. Work-life balance is important; make sure that you are taking care of yourself, that you are treating yourself as a valuable member and appropriately compensating, and giving yourself time to grow, make mistakes, and learn.
  3. Hold on tight to staff. There are people out there that will truly appreciate what you are doing and will give their all to you to help you along. Cherish them, take care of them, and make sure that they know you see their worth. Staff like that will help you reach those goals that you set out, and consider ways how you can help them reach their goal.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tsioncafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsioncafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsioncafe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cafetsion

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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