Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Abbie Romanul, co-founder and CEO of We Are Raising the Bar, located in Melrose, MA, USA.

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

We curate alcohol-free cocktail kits to create celebratory and inclusive drinks for when you're not drinking - for whatever the reason! We want to elevate the experience of going alcohol-free (for a night or a lifetime) and offer festive options for any occasion.

Tell us about yourself

I went alcohol-free three years ago and felt disappointed by the lack of special zero-proof drinks. Just like gluten-free or vegan offerings are now commonplace considerations when dining out or eating at a friend's house, we want to make elevated zero-proof options the norm, not the exception.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It's been a wild ride since we launched in September 2020 - I quit my full-time corporate job in May 2021 and have been running the Raising the Bar business full-time since then. It has been so gratifying to connect with so many people who are interested in alcohol-free options. Some are sober or sober curious, some are pregnant or nursing, some just like to have AF options on hand for guests. There is such momentum within the alcohol-free space right now, and I am so grateful to be part of it!

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

Figuring out how to prioritize! From customer service to content creation to product development and more, it can feel overwhelming to organize my time in a way that feels most efficient with so many short and long-term priorities.

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

When I look back, there are a lot of things I might do differently with the knowledge that I have today - but I am so glad I just STARTED. Tip 1 - start somewhere. You might not be 100% ready, but you'll learn along the way. Progress, not perfection. Tip 2 - Have a partner! Whether it's a business partner or simply a friend or colleague who can be an accountability partner, having someone in your court which you can bounce ideas off of is instrumental. Tip 3 - When you have a new or growing business, it can be hard to shut off. There will always be things you can be doing in your business, but you need to find a way to set boundaries for yourself. One of the reasons many of us start businesses is to own our own time, and then we find ourselves way busier than we were when we worked for someone else! Rome wasn't built in a day - your business won't be either. Carve out intentional time for yourself and the other priorities in your life outside your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.weareraisingthebar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareraisingthebar1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareraisingthebar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeAreRaisingBar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aromanul/

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.