Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eli Diamond, Founder of The Beverage Collective, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Beverage Collective is a Canadian alcohol import and sales agency. We service bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and ultimately the end consumer - ideally, a consumer searching to drink better. A boutique agency connecting Canadians to drink culture through uniquely crafted, artisanal spirits brands.
Tell us about yourself
In North America, when most people think about agave, they think of tequila. So did I, until I moved to Tulum, opened up a bar, and got to know producers in the agave industry. I learned about the nuances of the plant across different regions, as well as how many artisanal brands of agave-based spirits exist across the smallest of places in Mexico. With this knowledge and appreciation, a group of friends and I created Hecho Tequila Soda, one of the first ready-to-drink canned agave cocktails. Produced in Mexico, Hecho is now sold and distributed across North America. Part of my experience as co-founder meant interacting with spirits importers and agencies. This experience showed me that there is a big need for a new way of selling and promoting spirits—through storytelling and truly understanding a brand's origins.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To this day, I feel my biggest accomplishment as a business owner was the milestone of taking The Beverage Collective across Canada. We are now licensed not only in the west but also in Ontario.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
At the end of the day, you only have yourself to rely on. You live and die by your drive, effort, and execution. There is not a day that goes by where I don't stress about a situation, the next move, etc., but that is what makes it so rewarding.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- We are all human - don't be afraid to reach out to anyone, and be yourself because people will respect that.
- You don't need to know everything to get started. Trust in your skills and experience, and be ready to learn.
- Surround yourself with people that want to see you succeed. Get a mentor... early!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bevcollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeveragecollective/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elidiamond/
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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