Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Kerns, owner of The Brazen Buffalo LLC., located in Lubbock, TX, USA.

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

I am a small, locally owned business in Lubbock, Texas, and I pride myself on creating delicious charcuterie boards/grazing tables to be enjoyed between family and friends. A great bottle of wine paired with great friends/family creates the perfect atmosphere for some meat, cheese, and endless conversation.

Tell us about yourself

I am a wife and mom of two, and I took a huge leap of faith about five years ago to become self-employed. My area of expertise resides in Athletic Training-but, being self-employed has allowed me the freedom to be the wife and mom I want to be. I don't think I ever thought I would have my own business, but God definitely paved the way. A dinner conversation over margaritas and tacos led to creating a charcuterie business! Who would have thought? Ha! People in small businesses always ask, "what is your why?" And, I can easily answer that my family is my "why." Being able to spend a huge amount of time with my kiddos while still running a successful small business has been the biggest blessing for our family.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think my biggest accomplishment is just overall starting a business in October of 2019 and hitting a pandemic six months later. I survived the "shut down" of our nation and am on year number 3 of providing my services to west Texas.

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

I would say the hardest thing in owning a business is the inconsistency of the day-to-day. Every day is completely different, and I have had to learn to just roll with the punches! It's all been a huge learning curve, but I find that part exciting as well. It all ends up working itself out in the end.

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

  1. GO FOR IT!!! You'll never regret the moments you have choosing family/friends over your work. Give yourself a chance to have the freedom that comes from owning a small business, and be ready to work harder than you ever have all at the same time! Make sense? Haha!
  2. Social media is how today's world markets and advertises--I'm not sure I know of many small businesses that stay afloat without having their brand on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc. so take advantage of being able to reach a lot of people through the online realm.
  3. Hang in there--when you feel like giving up and throwing in the towel, wake up tomorrow with a different mindset and "just keep swimming" because it sometimes takes one day or one moment to change your entire life! You never know when that genius idea of a business you have becomes the next Starbucks.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit about myself and my small business. Best of luck to any future business owners--we're all in this together!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thebrazenbuffalo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrazenbuffalo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrazenbuffalo/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.