Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrea MacDonald, founder of The County Picnic, located in Prince Edward County, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We help people explore and enjoy Prince Edward County through its incredible local food and beverage scene. We offer wine and food tours, we set up luxe picnics, and we prepare graze boxes to go. In everything we do, our focus is on supporting local and creating beautiful, personalized experiences for our guests.
Tell us about yourself
I spent a decade living in Europe, working for some of the biggest names in the tourism industry like Fodor's Guidebooks and Intrepid Travel. When I moved home to the County in 2018, I noticed a gap in the local travel market. All of the existing companies were focused on the same 4-winery itinerary. Much as we love our local wineries, there's so much more to see and do in the County! So I decided to put my experience and passion for travel to good use, and The County Picnic was born with the goal of showing visitors all the amazing aspects of the County beyond just the tasting rooms.
That was WHAT I decided to do. The WHY was my son Gael, who was just six months old when I started The County Picnic. I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible and find a way to fully integrate him into our lives. From the very start, he has made an appearance on every tour, helped me set up every picnic, and nibbled on the leftovers of every Graze Box. I'm proud that he's been able to watch his Mama build her dream business and has been right beside me the whole way.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I truly care about The County Picnic and pride myself on giving 100% personalized attention to every guest and every local partner. I'm most proud of the trusting business relationships I've built in my community, the personal connections that we've formed, and the complicity we've built with our guests that has resulted in 5-star reviews across the board and countless new friendships formed.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not being able to clock out of the office at 5 pm and leave work behind. The County Picnic is on my mind (and in my inbox!) 24/7! However, escaping the 9-5 in the office was one of my main goals in starting my business, so I really can't complain.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Get Personal; There are plenty of other people who can (and probably already do) offer the same services as you. What will set you apart, and make your clients continue to come back to you, is the personal connection you build with them, whether it's a direct relationship, through social media, or just through the care you put into your product or service. If you place your heart into your business, people will notice.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thecountypicnic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecountypicnic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecountypicnic/
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.