Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Katie Youwe, co-founder of Alice + Brohm Ice Cream Co., located in British Columbia, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Alice + Brohm is a small ice cream business spreading goodness and making memories, one ice cream at a time. I started the business alongside my partner in 2017. Back then, it was just an ice cream trailer, and we thought we would just sell ice cream at fun places on the weekends. Fast forward five years, and we have two brick-and-mortar locations at a team of up to 20 during our peak summer season.
Our ice cream is different. It’s called real fruit ice cream, blending ice cream with berries to create a soft-serve style treat! It’s inspired by my partner’s New Zealand upbringing and his love (LOVE!) for ice cream. Our customers? Whoever likes ice cream!
Tell us about yourself
My name is Katie, and together with my partner Matt, we started dreaming up Alice + Brohm in 2016 as an idea to deepen our connection to the local community. Owning and running a business was a completely new adventure for us, but it now supports the life we want. One where we feel rooted in place and have the time and energy to mountain bike lots with our friends and two pups!
In terms of what motivates me:
- The connection and sense of community. With our customers, our producers, our suppliers, and our team.
- The little things. The moments I get to witness from behind the counter.
- The ability to make a good (or bad) day better with a little moment for ice cream.
- Surprising myself with what I can do and learning as I go. Whether it be a new marketing campaign or trying to troubleshoot a plumbing issue, learning as I figure things out is a constant motivator.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Running and growing a business over the last two years of the pandemic is a fairly cool accomplishment. Like many small, family-run businesses, the pandemic hit hard - but we were able to continue to do what we do and even open another location during it all.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Get over the fear of saying “no” to things and opportunities that don’t align with your business. This was a difficult one, and I wanted (and did) say “yes” to everything for the first few years. Saying “no” to things leaves space to say “yes” when you are really stoked about something!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know and understand your community and support them. For us, this meant being part of community events, supporting community fundraisers, and getting to know the customers that support us.
- Be adaptable. Be willing to change course if your instincts are telling you to explore another path.
- Set values for your business and use them to inform your decision-making.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
While owning and running a business can at times feel overwhelming and all-encompassing, I always try to remember to have fun with it. At the end of the day, your business should work for you! That’s definitely easier said than done sometimes and something that I am working on! If you find yourself in Squamish BC this summer - come to say HI; I would love to meet you!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.aliceandbrohm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliceandbrohm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliceandbrohm/
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.