Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Corey McPherson and Alyssa Talley, the co-founders of Local Urban Bites, a local meal kit, in Victoria BC, Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
Local Urban Bites is Victoria’s only local Meal Kit Company. We offer customers the ability to eat delicious restaurant-style meals at home without the hassle of meal planning, grocery shopping, and measuring out herbs and spices. We endeavour to use as many locally produced products as possible. We serve the entire Capital Regional District and the communities of Mill Bay and Cobble Hill. Our customers range from the busy working professional, to small families, and retired folks looking to make their dinner time process fun, easy, and fresh.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
Alyssa and I used to work management corporate roles prior to starting LUB. We got into this business to help solve the dinner time dilemma - “what’s for dinner?” We found that working at the office until late and then deciding on what to eat was never a fun time, and so we wanted to create a fun and unique solution to people who found themselves in these types of situations. We quickly found our stride and have been helping families in our communities come up with creative and delicious dinner ideas without all the hassle that comes with the dinner time dilemma.
As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Our biggest accomplishment has been seeing what our business can accomplish during times of stress. Since the pandemic we’ve supported our local hospitals, underprivileged families who haven’t been able to afford food, donated resources to various causes to help our community thrive during these challenging times, all while stepping outside our comfort zones to expand our customer base, move into a bigger space, and serving more clients than ever before. We have grown as individuals, business owners, and community members here in Victoria, BC.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
Uncertainty. While this is one of the hardest things to face as entrepreneurs, it’s also one of the most exciting. Uncertainty keeps you on your toes, expanding to new markets, and evolving as humans by stepping up to challenges with courage and resilience.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
Baby steps… it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just start something, evolve, listen to your customers, and remember… it gets better every single day. Blood (scrapes and bruises) sweat, and tears are the building blocks of entrepreneurship. ;)
Where can people find you online?
https://localurbanbites.com/
https://www.facebook.com/localurbanbites
https://twitter.com/LocalUrbanBites
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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