Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Zale Tabakman, president of Local Grown Salads, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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

My business is Local Grown Salads; we are an Indoor Vertical Farming company. We grow over 60 different herbs, greens, and small vegetables. Our products are organic and free of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and GMOs. Our food is fresh and grown inside the city. We use state-of-the-art LED lighting and fully control the entire environment.

Our growing technology means we use 90% less water than the same products grown in a field or greenhouse. By growing locally rather than growing and shipping from California, Arizona, and Mexico, we save 50% of the carbon footprint.

Our customers are everyone who wants to eat tasty, healthy food. Our prices are the same as the competition, even though our food is fresher, healthier and better-tasting. We sell through retailers and foodservice companies that want a better product.

Tell us about yourself

I have been working on developing this technology since 2014. It started when I wanted to provide my children (I have five kids) with better food. Now that I am a Grandfather of 8, it has become more and more important that what we are doing can change the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The biggest accomplishment is meeting the goals that I set out to meet. Each time I set a new goal, I forget about what I have done in the past. And looking back, it all just seemed so simple. The reality was much different.

Two of our latest accomplishments that I am particularly proud of include:

a) Integrating into our team folks from the Drexel Autism Institute along with students from the local high school.
b) Working with universities around North America to develop our technology.

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

I find the hardest thing for me is making decisions about people that negatively affect them. Having to let someone go, having to reduce their hours. I can make all sorts of other decisions, but these are painful and the most difficult.

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

The most important piece of advice I give folks is to create a very, very detailed cash flow. The more detailed it can be, the better. It needs to include the number of customers, what they will buy, and how much they will pay. The Cash Flow needs to break down the cost of absolutely everything. Down to how long it will take to make a package. The numbers will never be absolutely correct, but they will tell you what is a priority in your business and what isn't.

The second biggest tip I give is to "Have the end in mind." A person must know where they are going and why. Then when the opportunity comes along, they will know to seize it. And they will also know when to ignore "fools gold."

The 3rd piece of advice is to remember that the first time will cost twice as much as you think and take twice as long.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Always be positive. Never ever give up.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://localgrownsalads.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaletabakman/

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.