Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Trevor Exner, owner of Black Angus Bakery & Catering, located in Stratford, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a Bakery and Catering Business. We use our Mother's and Grandmother's recipes to Cook and Bake with love those memorable foods that inspire nostalgic feelings of home. Our Customers enjoy choosing from our wonderful and diverse selection of delectable treats and hearty, fully cooked meals to take home and enjoy. Seniors and busy families enjoy the convenience and value we provide. Our catering is customized to suit budgets and appetites.
Tell us about yourself
When I was younger, I would help my Grandmother in the kitchen bake and make meals. I used to have dinner at home and then go to my Grandmother's next door and help her make dinner and have dinner again. This helped me to grow up and be big. Every day the drive behind me is to keep the home cooking and home baking alive so that people can appreciate the simpler things in life. We do not use additives and preservatives in our cooking. We make wholesome comfort food meals that make people feel good inside. Our older Clientele we assist by helping them to be able to stay in their homes longer because they do not have to worry about cooking for themselves. We specialize in small home-cooked meals that 1 or 2 people can enjoy, and they do not need to eat the same food all week to use it up. We also cater to large events, up to a thousand people and more, but our day-to-day business in the store is the average person and the comfort food.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was winning the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary for all of the community support we have given Rotary.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The Lack of sleep. You need to be able to keep going to make progress until you find the right people to assist you in your goals. I would like to say it gets better in time, but there are always things that are out of your control that will try to slow you down, like COVID. We used COVID to assist us in our store sales to bring in people who did not know we existed. Also, home deliveries. When people are unsure of the world around them, you need to bring to them what they need so they do not need to worry about things that make them uncomfortable.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You need to be a fighter, Do not take "no" for an answer. Keep moving forward.
- Where there is a will, there is a way. Do not let anyone stand in your way of progress.
- Do not let a lack of funds stop your dream. There is always money somewhere to get you started.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.blackangusbakeryandcatering.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackangusbakerycatering/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackangusbakeryandcatering/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngusBakery
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-exner-5331b01a/
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.
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