Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Spencer, Founder of Dirt Rich Brew, LLC, located in Columbus, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ohio's Mushroom Coffee. Dirt Rich Brew is an artisanal, gourmet coffee crafted with adaptogenic Mushrooms & Healing Roots. Our Brew is made without Beans to offer a smooth, deep, full-bodied experience without the Jitters, Acid, or Crash. Dirt Rich is Naturally Caffeine Free, Antioxidant Rich, and Allergen Friendly. So, it's amazing for your body but even better for your taste buds!
Our Customers are flavor cravers. They are the type of people who can smell each ingredient and expect a good time when it's going down. Dirt Rich Brew has the best customers because they come from all over the country, with different backgrounds and traditions. The way they each like their coffee is just as diverse. We're proud to say we offer more than just coffee; we offer a shared experience and common interest. It's delicious.
Tell us about yourself
My grandmother could whip up pure gold in the kitchen. A lot of the food we ate came right out of her garden. She grabs a tomato right out of the dirt, dusts it off, and puts it in my mouth. Growing up, I watched how she could take common ingredients and mix them in a way that made the end result in something magical. People were always wowed by her food, and she'd give it away to anyone who'd ask. She put so much love and joy into her food that people could feel it in every bite.
Dirt Rich Brew was an unplanned surprise because I read about adaptogens and mushrooms while doing research for natural remedies to chronic diseases. I bought some mushrooms from a grower and was playing around in my kitchen, trying to make myself a tea. What I made was way too strong to be tea and much too delicious not to share. I spent months tweaking the recipe and just kept giving it away for people to try. I want people to know that some of the best things you'll ever put in your body come right out of the dirt. That's a big motivation for me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is the Dirt Rich Family. I'm surrounded by so many people who support me and this business that all I know is gratitude. We have subscribers all around the country. We are in 9 states right now!! It may not seem like a lot, but that's big for me. We're also in the process of expansion right now. We're getting a food truck in the next few months, and we'll be rolling soon. So many opportunities have been presented to us, and I know all of it is possible because of our subscribers, customers, volunteers, and cheerleaders. I'm beyond grateful for every person I know by name and the ones I may never meet who are rooting me on.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest parts of growing my type of business organically is the investment of your time, money, and energy with so many unknowns and no financial return. It takes a few years before your foundation is strong enough to really build on. In my position, I have a family and still work a full-time job, so I'm usually exhausted. I'm always going between trying to be fully present with my family and building my business. After work, on the weekends, and on holidays, I'm building my business. I love the process, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you want to run and grow a business, I can give you three things that make sense to me. First, write your ideas down. Get it out of your head. Write down why you want to do it, what problem it will solve for others, who are your competition, and how you'll get it done. The "how" part is where the details really matter. This will be a helpful first rough draft of your business plan.
Secondly, just get started. There will never be a right time. You'll never have everything you need first. The reality is you don't know what you don't know. The best teacher is often experience. After you've done your research and completed step one, get started.
Lastly, prepare to give away money. It's par for the course. You should always do as much research as needed before you just start spending. However, in order to grow any business, you'll need money for supplies, resources, insurance, pay-to-play fees, education, fixing mistakes, networking opportunities, marketing, operating expenses, etc. Ultimately, it's like a long-term investment if you're growing your business. You're not getting that money back for several years, but it will be worth the wait.
Bonus: Find free virtual mentors on a platform like YouTube to get started, then get linked with a small business development organization. They know the game, and insight will be one of your most valuable tools.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.dirtrichbrew.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirtRichBrew/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirtrichbrew/
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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