Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shawn Harman, Director of Harman Group, located in Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We produce and process eggs and egg process for the retail and food service market in Canada. We supply commodity and specialty egg products, including free range and organic, that can be found in grocery stores and restaurants across Western Canada.
Tell us about yourself
I joined our 3rd generation's family business in my 20s. I found it exciting to take what my grandfather and father had built and get to expand and adapt to the changes that have taken place in the last sixty years.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've been able to oversee several expansion projects. The most recent was a building expansion in Saskatoon, where we purchased some property, added 25,000 square feet of space, and incorporated an entire new egg grading line capable of grading 1.5 million eggs every day.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
It's common for employees' personal and professional problems to filter up to you. People will want to ask for your advice and help. I think it is important to care for the people that keep your business going. Learning what kind of challenges your staff is having provided important insight and context into their role in your business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get used to hearing the word "no." Never accept it as a final answer. Sometimes you need to ask for something over a dozen times to get your desired answer. You may need to change your approach and phrase it in a way that appeals to your audience. Persistence is one of the key attributes of success when dealing with customers, employees, and suppliers.
- Your attitude sets the tone for your entire company. The people that work under you will adopt your take on things which will filter down to the people that report to them and be noticed by your customers, clients, and community. Make sure your attitude is positive.
- Negative people are toxic to any work environment. There are plenty of highly effective people that are negative. Don't become reliant on these people. Get to a point where you can do without them and give them the opportunity to improve. If they don't - quickly part ways.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://staregg.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarEggSK/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/star-egg-company-ltd-/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.