Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christian Jolly, Founder of TradeWind Coffee Co., located in Dacula, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a local coffee shop and roastery. We serve the local area of coffee and tea aficionados.
Tell us about yourself
I previously worked in film and video production and always enjoyed meeting my clients in local cafes around the region. It inspired me to open my own similar concept in my town to create a meeting place for the community. Every day I have the same mindset, our mission statement: love your neighbor. I want anyone who comes here to leave feeling that we genuinely care for them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We have won awards for our cold brew beverage in 3 cities nationally, and normally I'd be inclined to say, "that's the top achievement." However, being steady-handed in the recruitment, training, management, and treatment of my employees is something I pride myself on.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Managing expectations can be quite hard. Guests and employees alike come into this shop each day with a different set of needs and desires, and balancing the work we do with those expectations is a priority and what separates our experience from other similar businesses.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Study your market and know what the need really is. Be willing to walk away from what you thought was a great idea if that need is already being met. Learn how to manage numbers and control the controllable within your finances. Be ready to set clear goals and expectations with your employees. If you are upfront and clear about what it takes to do the work in your shop, you will spend much less time setting and resetting expectations each day/week/month.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.tradewindcoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradeWindCoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradewind_coffee/
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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