Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maurice Contreras, CEO and Founder of Volcanica Coffee, located in Gwinnett, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Volcanica Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster that imports 150+ exotic coffees from volcanic regions around the world. The mineral-rich soil from volcanic regions produces coffee that is aromatic and remarkable in taste. Our customers are coffee and wine aficionados.
Tell us about yourself
The idea came during one of our annual family vacations visiting my homeland in Costa Rica. I realized that an opportunity existed to bring the great-tasting coffee from Costa Rica to the United States. I wrote the business plan on the flight home. This was natural for me since coffee has always been in my blood and has been in our family for at least three generations, starting when my mother and grandfather would assist in harvesting the coffee beans high in the mountains of Costa Rica.
It is a fun, exciting, and very competitive business so I am motivated every day to get to work on the business. We have short-term and long-term goals to keep me and the team focused and driven.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To bring our private brand, which started in a garage, to be sold worldwide and roasted in our own coffee plant that provides employment for 20 people.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The demand of a fast-growing business requires more investment and responsibilities. It is a balance to manage the growth with what you can afford while still maintaining control.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It requires a lot of work, effort, and dedication to move it forward. It does not come quickly, and you need to be willing to invest a few years for a payoff.
- Have a business plan to use as your roadmap on what needs to be done, deadlines, goals, and budget.
- Become passionate about your business or product. You will not be successful if you are not an expert on the product and also if you are only doing it for the money.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Building a business comes at a cost. It requires a lot of time, work, and investment. Some people expect a quick payoff with little effort, which rarely happens.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://volcanicacoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gourmet.coffee.beans
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/volcanicacoffee/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VolcanicaCoffee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volcanicacoffee/
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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