Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with John Van Borssum, owner of Uncle Biff's Cookies Arizona, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We bake what are quite possibly the best cookies on the planet. Uncle Biff's features home-style cookies and brownies made with the finest ingredients. We serve retail and corporate customers who appreciate great service as well as great products. We have 17 varieties of cookies created from scratch using recipes developed by Uncle Biff himself - most are more than 30 years old.
Tell us about yourself
Uncle Biff's is family-owned and operated. We began 38 years ago in San Diego when Uncle Biff set out to make his grandmother's (GaGa's) chocolate chip cookies. He couldn't eat 2 or 3 dozen each day, so he took them to work and handed them out to co-workers. The response was tremendous, and his employer's cafeteria began selling them. One thing led to another and, upon urging from family and friends, he opened a retail cookie store in Pacific Beach, California. Eventually, the PB store moved into the Hillcrest area of San Diego, and it has been there for 33 years. Four years ago, we opened Uncle Biff's number 2 - in Phoenix. Biff grew up in Phoenix, and that was a logical choice since his family was living in Arizona. Both locations strive to make people happy - there is something about warm cookies and cold milk that brings joy to everyone. We love giving samples and watching the reaction to tasting a truly homemade cookie.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Bringing joy to customers of all ages and backgrounds.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Maintaining the highest quality standards and ensuring that happy team members welcome patrons.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ensure that customer satisfaction is top of mind for every team member.
- It's that attitude that keeps people coming back for more.
- Don't compromise on quality - it's what builds a loyal customer base.
- Constantly seek to improve operationally.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't think that opening a small business is easy, especially these days. It's hard work and long days to make a business a success.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.unclebiffsarizona.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unclebiffsphoenix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unclebiffsphoenix/
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.