Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kavita Dobariya, owner of Veggie Planet, located in Mississauga, ON, Canada.

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

We are a pure vegetarian and vegan restaurant serving unique fusion Indian street food, pizza, and burgers. Our customer base is a vegan and vegetarian crowd, but we surprise the non-vegetarian group with our plant-based meat alternative food items like vegetarian pepperoni, vegetarian chicken, etc.

Tell us about yourself

I have always wanted to open a restaurant since I was a kid. Still, I never wanted to start something which is simple Indian food like roti and subji. I came up with an idea of Indian fusion food, which was vegetarian and vegan. My family supported me in each and every step. I left my high-paying accounting job to pursue my dream, and here we are, with 2 locations open and two more opening in the coming days. Now we are a franchisor and giving franchisee all over Canada.

We serve quality food with great passion. Happy and satisfied customers are my motivation. My employees helped me every day to achieve my dream.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We never compromise in quality, quantity, and customer service. It's been five years we have been in this business. Our first customer is still coming to our place and finding the same food quality. We have maintained that taste with an improved process. We make people happy every day by serving amazing food. My satisfied customers and happy employees are my biggest achievement.

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

Being a restaurant owner, you have to work with people. Managing people is the hardest thing that we have to do. You can not make everyone happy, but we always try our best to improve every single day and keep working.

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

  1. Keep faith in yourself even if no one is beside you.
  2. Work hard until you are living your dream.
  3. Your employees are your biggest asset. Never let them down, and always appreciate their effort.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Anything is possible if you decide. Never give up on your dream. Veggie Planet was just a thought before it became a reality. Now, after five years in the business, we are ready to open locations all over Canada and working towards many locations in the USA. Come and join us. Be part of our beautiful journey.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://veggieplanet.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Veggieplanet.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veggieplanet.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/veggieplanetfd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veggie-planet/

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.