Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa A. Lotts, Owner of Garlic and Zest, located in Boca Raton, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Garlic and Zest is a food and cooking website with nearly 1000 recipes and counting. My customers are my readers who come to my blog for tasty, doable recipes for home cooks.
Tell us about yourself
I started my website in 2013 after a long sales career. I had been working for a pharmaceutical company, but we went through a major downsizing, and I was one of the casualties. I was offered a sales position in Home Healthcare, which I stepped into, but I found that it wasn't for me. I didn't like the organization, and the job itself wasn't satisfying. At the same time, I had this internal drive to do something creative — and since my only creative outlet was cooking, that's what I did.
I'm motivated every day to help home cooks feel confident in their own kitchens. The recipes on my website have step-by-step instructions, photographs for each step (if not a video), and tips for getting the best results.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
There have been several. The biggest has probably been the autonomy of running my own business and the ability to replace and exceed my previous income from working for someone else. I've also won several blogging awards and been featured in national publications and podcasts. One of my recipes was recently included in Brian Baumgartner's new Seriously Good Chili Cookbook... so bragging rights.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having to do everything myself. I had to teach myself everything about running a website, using a DSLR, taking videos, and understanding the technical and SEO end of the business. I've taken courses, which have definitely helped, but ultimately, everything is on my shoulders.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn as much as you can. Ask for help when you need it. Delegate the things that aren't in your wheelhouse.
I took courses on everything from learning how to use a DSLR camera to how to keyword a post and create a hands in pans video. I couldn't have done it without learning from others. I belong to several blogging groups, and we regularly support one another by answering questions and sharing frustrations. I discovered pretty quickly that no matter what, I didn't have the capacity to design and execute my own website, so I paid a professional to do it for me. Money well spent. - Give yourself permission to fail. Most of what I did, in the beginning, was 100% WRONG... but it taught me what NOT to do. Your failures make you better (and I think, more humble).
- Don't quit. A lot of people want to start a business, but it takes dedication and determination to keep it going, especially when the universe is telling you to quit. If you can get past the setbacks, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.garlicandzest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garlicandzest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garlicandzest/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garlicandzest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisalotts/
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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