Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Justin Fry, Owner of JF Chocolat LLC., located in Charlotte, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are JF Chocolat, and we handcraft premium chocolate confections for all consumers and lovers of chocolate. We raise the bar by handcrafting chocolate confections that merge incredible flavors and beautiful details with unforgettable fun experiences.
Tell us about yourself
I spent 12 years working exclusively with chocolate, competing in regional and national and assisting on an international level. I now spend time coaching other pastry chefs in the same type of competitions to share the same knowledge I was taught when I was competing. We moved to Charlotte and realized that there was a lack of refined chocolates, so to speak, and we knew this was the area we wanted to open our business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest accomplishment as a business owner is actually making the business come to fruition. Starting from just having conversations to planning it and then seeing it come through and running is a big accomplishment. Followed by seeing the guests' reactions after they eat our chocolates is also so satisfying and justifies what we strive to create.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Right now, social media. We are focused on creating unforgettable experiences with our recipes and execution of our products, that the social media aspect is a second thought. Trying to keep up with all the algorithms and the abundance of photos needed to "satisfy" the followers to attract more to our page. I see a trend in our industry where the flavor is a second thought, but the photo is everything.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Learn, practice, learn. Anyone who is thinking about opening a business should feel comfortable in their work environment and have as much knowledge, in our case, about the product. Know what is missing in the area you would like to open and what will be different about you compared to another business with similar products. But never stop learning; just because you have a business doesn't mean that you can stop learning because you "finally made it." You have to not only continue to grow the business, but you have to grow yourself as well.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jfchocolat.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfchocolat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jf_chocolat/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-fry-b5a73813a/
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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