Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kieran Klassen, Co-Owner and Business Development Lead of Heartwood Farm & Cidery, located in Acton, ON, Canada.

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

We are the owners of a 42-acre regenerative farm just north of Acton. Our family has lived on the farm for nearly two decades now, and the cidery began about five years ago to highlight the high-quality ingredients grown on our farm and others in the community. Each of our farm-crafted ciders invites the consumer to think about the farm-to-table connection that makes it possible. Our customers are people in our community (typically Guelph, KW, and the GTA) who love local craft products and have a growing interest in sustainable farming.

Tell us about yourself

I'm the head of business development and one of the owners of Heartwood Farm & Cidery. My family moved to the farm in 2004, so I grew up in this environment. It was only after graduating with a degree in Political Science at uWaterloo that I reentered that world full-time. I've now been here through the entire pandemic, which has taught me the value of being part of a resilient, socially conscious community.

Our brand ethos is all about embracing natural connections - to land, to food, and each other - and the pandemic served as a reminder of how powerful connection really is. My role allows me to pursue new relationships and connections each day, which motivates us to continue the work we do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our team works very collaboratively, so we share in all of Heartwood's successes. One of our biggest collective successes as business owners, quite broadly, was the agility and resilience we showed that allowed us to survive through the volatility of the pandemic. By finding creative new ways to connect with our customers - through online sales, home deliveries, and a wealth of fruitful business partnerships - we were able to navigate the unpredictable terrain and flourish.

Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without our audience of incredibly gracious supporters. We're delighted that we have a community that sees value in the work we do and the products we make, and we were happy to continue to share the fruits of our labour with them through all the uncertainty.

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

As a first-time business owner, I would say that the biggest challenge is the intimate view I get into our finances. As an employee, you need only worry about your roles and responsibilities. As a small business owner, each day brings with it new stressors around how you can create something that can healthily provide for all of its people. It's a big learning curve, but it's also incredibly valuable to learn at an early age.

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

  1. Identify your purpose. Not only does a clear purpose motivate you to get out of bed in the morning, but it will also help you connect with like-minded individuals and customers.
  2. Set goals. How many new customers do you want to acquire each year? How do your revenue targets increase over time? What sort of impact do you want to have on your community? Goals will keep you accountable to yourself and your team members, and it helps you focus on the big picture.
  3. Remember: you own the business; your business shouldn't own you. Starting a business can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding but also demanding. Your business should not infringe on your happiness and overall wellbeing. You need to prioritize yourself and set healthy boundaries to ensure you have a sustainable relationship with your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://heartwoodfarm.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartwoodcidery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartwoodcidery/


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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