Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Pascal the Baker of ParisLevain, located in California.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I provide sourdough bread coaching services for individuals and groups of individuals who are looking to transform their health and nutrition by baking delicious bread.

Tell us about yourself

I first got started during COVID in 2020. Like many others, I had a lot of time reflecting on what I wanted to do next with my career.  I decided to start a business that was fully aligned with my passion for sourdough bread making.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I had a chance to impact several of my students' lives by exposing them to a new way of looking at bread: not just pure carbs but as part of a healthy diet and nutrition. One of the greatest memory was when we were finally able to get together for a bread tasting event last summer.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest part for me was around time management. As a "solopreneur," I had to put a lot of energy and discipline into trying to stay focused on the core tasks that would have the greatest impact. It is easy to get distracted by all the technology aspects of running an online coaching business, but that really comes at a later stage. Time management is a delicate balancing act, especially since, in my case, I am still not doing this full time.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Make sure you spend time researching your market needs and validating your ideas with your extended network before investing into the "how."
  2. Build your reputation around your new business: this is essential to generate trust, especially when you are going to leap to an area that you are not already known as an expert.
  3. Spend time researching and validating the name of your business. This is going to become part of your brand and identity.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Starting my own business has been a long-time dream for me. It's been just over a year since I launched ParisLevain, and it seems already like 10. Tons of learning, many mistakes along the way, and still a steep hill ahead to climb. The best part: baking and experimenting with new bread formulas that I can reflect in the content of the class and share with my students.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.parislevain.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParisLevainEducation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pascalthebaker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parislevain/

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.