Always Vegan, Always Gluten-Free

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emily Eldh, founder of the muffin drop., located in Charleston, SC, USA.

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

Everyone! The Muffin Drop is a product of 2021, producing delicious mini muffins made from nutrient-dense, vegan and gluten-free ingredients. The most notable muffin drop of ours is "the classic" banana chocolate chip flavor. This treat was here long before there was a company, though, originating from years of my mom making mini banana chocolate chip muffins during my childhood. These were not vegan & gluten-free, though! When my health spiraled from autoimmune struggles in 2016, I began the journey of changing my diet to plant-based & gluten-free, catalyzing me to bake and alter many recipes to match this new lifestyle. I started playing with banana chocolate chip muffin recipes, and the rest was history.

Tell us about yourself

I am 24 now & live in Charleston, SC! After graduating from college in Charleston during the beginning of the pandemic, I ended up going back to my hometown in Connecticut to figure out where I was going next. I began doing freelance social media & website building work with my boyfriend, which was the first thing that gave me the entrepreneurial bug. People had been telling me to sell my banana chocolate chip mini muffins for years, but I never knew when or how that would happen. In the spur of a moment, one really cold Connecticut day, I posted an Instagram story of the muffins asking, "would anyone buy these?" That day I had 30 DM's saying yes. From there, the ball just started rolling, and I brought the business to Charleston a few months later to make it official.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think my biggest accomplishment thus far was actually pulling the trigger and making the business come to life. If you ask anyone close to me, they'd tell you this was years in the making, without me really knowing it. I'd always gifted these muffins to friends, family, classmates - so the idea that these little treats have created a company is mind-blowing to me. I'm very grateful that those around me love the muffins, giving me the opportunity to keep this thing going.

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

Everyday! Haha. I think it's always going to be the unpredictable nature of it all. It's also what keeps it so exciting.

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

It doesn't matter where you're at in the process; just start!
If other people can do it, you can do it too.
Bring your fullest self to the table. You can really build anything off of an authentic story.

We do muffin "drops" throughout the week. This means I release a menu on Instagram, and you can order any of our delicious flavors on my website for local pick-up on the day of the drop. We also do pop-ups throughout the city of Charleston and are always just slinging' muffins. Hopefully, one day you'll catch us in stores! Remember the muffin drop :)

Where can people find you and your business?

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

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.