Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Zoe Wagg, owner of House Of ZW Cupcakes, located in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, UK.

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

House of ZW Cupcakes is a small business that specializes in Cupcakes. Perfect for Birthday celebrations, Baby showers, Christenings, Weddings, big occasions such as Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween. Basically any occasion!! Creating standard designs to in-depth fondant icing toppers, such as 3D figures to Mini food. I love nothing more than getting all creative with my fondant. House of ZW Cupcakes is located in a small area called Newton-le-Willows, so the customers are mostly local. Although many do travel from different locations to support my small business.

Tell us about yourself

I am 31 years old, from a small town called Newton-le-Willows. I have lived here all of my life. I have three amazing children age, two boys & 1 girl, ages 9,10 & 14. I previously worked In healthcare for 12 years, Then decided I needed a change; I needed something more suited to family life. What better than to work for yourself, right!? It was in 2019; I was in the kitchen experimenting with my daughter. That was where I realized I had a love for baking! I have always been arty, so this helps massively!

Then I started receiving so many amazing positive comments from friends & family regarding my cakes, so I thought, why not bite the bullet & give it a shot! I had nothing to lose. So I first started baking for friends & family besides my other job. I realized it began to get too much & I couldn't continue to do both, so I left my job of 12 years! I was extremely petrified. First, I won't lie; I was thinking, 'What if it doesn't work? What the hell have I done". But I can now honestly say it's the best thing I have done, & I love my job. It doesn't even feel like a job when you get paid for something you love doing! Nothing makes me happier than seeing customers collecting their orders with a big smile on their faces. All the time/effort makes it worthwhile.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has got to be looking out of my kitchen window where I'm working from. From a small workspace that I have, seeing my new building project taking shape, coming to an end! This is where I will be working from. It's amazing & It is 5x bigger than my current workspace, So working life will be so much easier as I will have my own space.

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

Personally, from my experience, Being a business owner can be pretty difficult & Challenging at times. You simply can't do what most people do after a working day, Which is merely turning off & winding down! As a business owner, your brain is constantly ticking. I can be laid in bed asking myself if I have completed all the tasks needed for that day, thinking of new ideas, Making sure stock is maintained, Making sure I have replied to message requests, etc. It can be difficult to find a work-life balance because if you are anything like me, I don't like to turn my customers away as I feel like I am letting them down.

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

Do your research! This is vital, Get an idea of what it is like actually to run a business. Practice, Practice. There is so much behind it that you don't even realize! It isn't a 9-5 job. It is a 24/7 job. Be consistent with your advertising on social media to interact with customers. Be sure to contact your local council, who will then arrange a date suited for an inspection where they will have a good look around. You will then be rated with a star. This is initially what customers will look at, So it is important.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! & every day is a learning day. If you put in the effort, the outcome will be bright.

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseofZWCupcakes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/house_of_zw_cupcakes/

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.