Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Khan Miller, managing partner of FareWorx, LLC / Crazy Italian Pizza, located in Franklin, TN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Although I did not founded the brand, I own the rights to Crazy Italian Pizza in 11 states. We offer a complete turnkey pizza and chicken wing program for select convenience stores. Our products are sold one of three ways at each outlet - Fresh Whole Baked Pizzas to Go, Take-n-Bake, and by the Crazy Slice (1/4 of an entire pizza).
Crazy Italian Pizza, Inc. was started out of a passion for pizza and the belief there's always a better way of doing things. Our promise to our customers is best summed up in the mission of our company where we want to: Create the Best Pizzas, Keep it Simple and Efficient, and Have Lot's of Fun.
Tell us about yourself
After college, I spent a few years working as a corporate trainer for a couple of nationally branded restaurant chains and decided that I wanted to get into the wholesale side of the food and beverage industry. I took a position with a company that is now the largest company in the world in the same space that we operate in. In other words, I, along with all of the partners in our existing company, once worked for what is now our main competitor. In just five short years, we are halfway across the US and are growing at an incredible rate.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This is my third company. Two have been pretty successful, and one was a complete disaster! Without citing any specific accomplishment, I think that perseverance, in general, is the best answer to this question. I like to stick to simplicity and just work hard through all types of adversity. One of my favorite quotes is, "Champions know they are going to fail many times...So they get on with it!"
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning to wear all of the hats during start-up is pretty tough. I had an accountant turn me down once because she said I needed to learn to keep the books myself in order to understand the intricacies of my business - and when I reached a specific revenue level, she would take over. As I learned over time, this is true for all aspects in the business. You have to make yourself take time to roll up your sleeves and learn by experience.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Dive in! Don't be afraid. If you have a dream of creating a certain lifestyle for yourself and your family, then go for it. You'll be happy you did
and no matter the outcome, it will build character. - It's ok to mess up. It's the absolute best way to learn and to become stronger and more knowledgeable.
- Go with your gut feeling more often than not. A lot of mistakes are made by overthinking.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.crazyitalianpizza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crazyitalianpizza/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khanmiller/
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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