Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Lopez, owner of City Brew Tours South Jersey, located in Monroe, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
City Brew Tours South Jersey is the leading curator of craft beer experiences for visitors, locals, and the community as both an ambassador and an advocate for the brewing industry. We build unforgettable experiences for our guests, leaving them more informed of the brewing process and the community that makes the best craft beer in Southern New Jersey.
Tell us about yourself
After 12 years in retail and all the drinking that comes with that line of work, I was given the opportunity to move on and build something I enjoyed. After spending a few months deciding what I was really interested in, I kept coming back to the ever-growing craft beer community in New Jersey.
In 2018 and 2019, new breweries were opening almost monthly. I have met many of the owners and head brewers, and they are a very welcoming community. I knew I wanted to be a part of that. I am also a true Jersey Girl, and if I can tell anyone about how great this state is, I will do it. So now I get the chance to talk about beer and New Jersey at the same time, every day. It's great!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I started this franchise in November of 2019. Not only did I learn how to run a business with not having any background in entrepreneurship, but I also learned how to run a business during a pandemic. At this point, I don't think anything can stop me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The uncertainty. I had always had jobs that I went to, and two weeks later, I received a paycheck. I'm the one writing the paychecks now, and it's a very different feeling. There is no turning off running your own business, no vacation time. It's worth it, but it was very hard to transition to that always 'on' feeling.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It's going to be scary, and it's all unknown, but believe in yourself and have a support system that also believes in you. It makes it a little easier to overcome.
- Find the thing that you enjoy. When I first went to my accountant about starting this franchise, he told me I could open an Auntie Anne's with the same money, and I just stared at him for a second and said, "I don't like pretzels that much. I like beer."
- Be prepared to cry. It happens. Some days, things just are not going the way you imagined; you get letters or calls that make things more and more difficult. You might have to completely shut your doors for five months. It's your business, if you need to block a day off, do it. Need to cry in the shower for an hour, the phone will be there when you get back, go cry in the shower. Don't burn yourself out when you are in control.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you are looking to start a franchise, make sure you really vibe with your franchisor. This road to running my own business was definitely made a lot easier by having someone I felt truly comfortable with asking any questions. If it doesn't feel right from the start, it might never get that way, and you could lose the passion you have for your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.citybrewtours.com/southjersey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityBrewToursSJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citybrewtourssj/
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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