Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Blaco, owner of The Mixing Bowl, located in Kansas City, MO, USA.

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

The Mixing Bowl is a full-service restaurant In Kansas City, Missouri. We offer good home-cooked breakfast and lunch to the community. We are famous for our “cinnamon roll” we give a free cinnamon roll to first-timers. We are known for the best biscuits and gravy in kc. The Mixing Bowl takes pride in making that restaurant the best it can be.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Stephanie; I have been a business owner for over a year now. I was released from the Missouri Department of corrections in May 2020 and had to take care of a few outstanding charges from years ago and had to go to Kansas jail and was released from there in July 2020. When I was released, I transitioned back into society with the help of “Journey to a New Life” I stayed there for about two months. I started working as a cook at the mixing bowl, and my dad said to me one day, “would you like to be the owner of this place?” I looked at him like he was crazy because I had done anything like this before. For the last 25 years of my life, I have done nothing but meth and committed a crime. I didn’t care about anything but how I was going to get my next fix and steal everyone’s money. That drug made me a person that I am not. Meth is the devil; it took my entire life in 2.2 seconds, and I didn’t even know it. I gave up everything, including myself. Finding a job is one of the hardest things when you’re a felon. You are judged right from the start. I took over the restaurant on December 20, and I was very nervous the first day. I love a challenge, and this is a challenge. I get up every morning and am at the restaurant by 6 am, and I leave around four every day. I strive to make The Mixing Bowl the best that I can. The restaurant has saved my life. I never have to worry about another job. I have the best job ever. I love my restaurant. The Mixing Bowl is my addiction.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is that we have tripled in size during the pandemic. We have many loyal customers and many first-timers. We made it through the pandemic. I have stayed clean and sober each and every day.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is that I have to realize that not everyone works as hard as I do. It is ok if someone doesn’t do something exactly how I would have done it. Keeping waitresses is difficult. No one wants to work.

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

I have found that you have to have patience and be willing to work many long hours. Be patient because you will have roadblocks. I tell myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and everything will eventually fall into place.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I wish I knew more about social media and advertising.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mixingbowlkc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themixingbowlinc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themixingbowlinc/

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.

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