Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Frank Berkers, founder of Bugaboos Bakery Cafe, located in Silver Star Mountain/Vernon, Canada.

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

Bugaboos is a Bakery and coffee shop next to the ski-slopes on Silver Star Mountain. As an international ski and bike resort, we get people from all over the world and it's really nice to see people coming back for years. With the resort only 20 minutes from Vernon in the Oanagan Valley, we get a lot of locals coming to the mountain as well.

Tell us about yourself

I was trained in Europe by Italian, Swiss, and Belgian chefs/bakers. It is nice to see the faces of the "newcomers" when they see all the different items in our showcases. The regulars know what to expect but are still happy when we reopen for a new season.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It's great to do something that you like for 25 years and still love doing it. And that the customers still appreciate what you're doing. Winning several awards is a big bonus.

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

One of the hardest things to do is hiring and training new staff for every season. It's not always been easy, but since COVID  hit it has been way harder to find the right people for the right positions.

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

  1. To start and grow your own business you should do your homework, make a good business plan and reinvest the money you make in the first few years.
  2. Putting in a lot of hours goes with owning your own business.
  3. Have a good product and concept and believe in what you're doing.

Anything else you'd like to share?

The first years are the hardest, but keeping consistent is a must.

Where can people find you and your business?

https://www.facebook.com/bugabooscafe/

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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