Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Larissa Kama, Founder of Tipsee & Spice Bakery and Specialty Cakes, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a bakery and specialty cake shop. We are best known for our spirited cakes and desserts. Our customers are folks who enjoy sweets and treats that are unique and unlike what most average bakeries provide. We are sweetly different, for sure!
Tell us about yourself
I've been a professional chef with almost 30 years of experience. COVID provided me an opportunity to turn my unemployed situation into a side hustle to save Christmas for my family into a full-time thriving business with a beautiful brick-and-mortar bakery where people can come to enjoy our products as well as order our unique, custom creations. It's the smiles on my customer's faces and the genuine support they give me that really keep me going and motivate me to continually up my game and bring out the best of myself and my business that I possibly can. It's such a beautiful form of pure magic!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner would be being able to provide employment for my employees and take pride that I work diligently to provide not just employment but an actual living wage for them. That makes me most proud.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing associated with business ownership is the time sacrifice. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to run a successful business, especially in the beginning. It's something everyone should look at when contemplating starting their own business. Time is something none of us get back, so make sure the time you spend is worth it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do your research into the business you want to start. Make sure you have extensive knowledge about your product/idea before you invest too much money or energy into your business before you consider yourself as close to an expert in that field as possible.
- Get a notebook and make that your planning bible! Write everything down. It's not popular to write much these days. We generally count on our electronic devices to store our information, but there's nothing quite like the tactile and visual impact of our own writing, especially where our business is concerned.
- Don't wait! Just start your business journey. They all start with a single step, so take it. Life is short and full of potential regrets, so don't regret not diving into the wonderful start of your new, empowered life as a business owner!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.tipseeandspice.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipseeandspice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipseeandspice/
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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