Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jacob Cohen, Co-Founder of Kismet Bagels, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called Kismet Bagels. We make an old-school, water-boiled long fermented Bagel. We also made several flavors of cream cheese, special Bialys (Bagel's long-lost cousin), and spices.
Our customers are honestly everyone. Anytime you're dealing with food, even bread specifically, it's universal. We'll have a 19-year-old walk into the Fishtown shop who found us on Tik Tok, and then the next customer will be an 85-year-old couple who exclaims, "I haven't seen Bialys in 30 years!" and buys a dozen. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to cater to EVERYONE.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been naturally drawn to business. Even as a child, I have my own resale business on eBay selling Beanie Babies during the 90's boom. My wife and I were baking just for fun in the early days of March 2020 when everyone was quarantined. We loved the bagels we had made and started selling them & donating the money to hospital workers and charities. It took off, and we now make over 20,000 bagels a week. We are in 50 stores for wholesale, have our own shop in Fishtown, and are opening a stand at Reading Terminal Market in the Fall of 2022.
What motivates me each day is that I spent a number of years doing things that I didn't want to be doing. I never felt like I had found my purpose; I was always searching. When this business took off (by accident, mind you) - I knew immediately that it was what I was meant to do - so I hung onto that feeling. I genuinely love what I do - the people that work for us, the customers we know and love, the beautiful food we get to make and share with the world, all of it. It's incredible. I will wake up at 3 am 7 days in a row on 2-3 hours of sleep and not complain because it's just the most fun I've ever had in my life.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm incredibly proud of our culture. The food business can be a nasty, toxic place, and I am beyond proud to say that we've cultivated a positive, supportive and respectful culture (all while having fun and laughing a ton) in our various locations. I never want to let that go, no matter how much we expand. We have a zero-tolerance policy for egocentric behavior, attitude, and any sort of nonsense. Just be a good human, that's all we ask - we'll teach you the rest.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Resisting the urge to try and please everyone. I myself am the type of person that wants to say yes to absolutely everything - but that can be dangerous for far too many reasons to list.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure that you have savings in the bank - you're going to need them for at least two years.
- Never stray away from your values.
- Don't be afraid of anything. Dive in and give it; you are all. Don't listen to any of the naysayers - do what you feel is right and what you believe in - you'll never have any regrets.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm always available to consult for anyone that needs anything business-wise. Hit me up on Instagram at @jacobcolincohen or @kismetbagels - thanks for reading!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kismetbagels.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kismetbagels/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismetbagels/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.