Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Crystal Evans, owner of Hiking Hawaii Cafe, located in Honolulu, HI, USA.

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

Hiking Hawaii Cafe started out in 2012 as a Hiking Tour Company. We would take people on hikes on Oahu. We quickly realized we had to offer food, so we started making smoothies, sandwiches, etc. We are located in the heart of Waikiki, and healthy food was not easy for visitors to find, so we swiftly started adding Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free Items. That's when the cafe took off! We kept adding to the menu and soon started offering breakfast all day. Our customers are people who like adventure, like to hike, explore while on vacation, and care about what food they are putting in their bodies.

Tell us about yourself

I was motivated to start Hiking Hawaii because I wanted to start a passion business. I had recently started hiking more and loved it! It was my new favorite hobby. I thought if I could make money doing what I love, it would be successful. Adding the Food to the hiking was a bonus. I have always been a "foodie" and worked in Food and Beverage my whole life. Coming up with the recipes was fun and rewarding.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Be able to have a successful business ten years after I started it. Also, making it through COVID when so many restaurants around me had to close down. We no longer do the hiking tours, but the cafe has remained busy.

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

Right now, in present-day post-COVID...STAFFING. That is the number one obstacle all restaurants are facing. We lost most of our staff, and now no one can work. All restaurants are understaffed. Most of the employees are new and not as efficient. Customers are still demanding and don't understand we are understaffed.

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

  1. Make sure it is your passion. Just don't start a business because you think you can make money. Start it because it's your love.
  2. Have plenty of money saved up! The first year is the hardest.
  3. Do your homework. Find out if there's a need for that business in your area. Location is key!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We also started Hiking Hawaii in 2012 as an eco-friendly business. It was hard back then because eco-friendly to-go containers, cups, and utensils were double the price. But we did it. We wanted to have a positive effect on earth. Even though it was hard, I'm glad we did and can proudly say we never used Styrofoam. We also do not sell plastic water bottles in the Cafe.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://hikinghicafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hikinghawaii808/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikinghawaiicafe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hikinghawaii808

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.