Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Saidah Farrell, Owner of Marshmallow of the Month Club, located in Cleveland, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Marshmallow of the Month club is a unique taste experience for marshmallow lovers who appreciate gourmet marshmallows!
Tell us about yourself
There's a day in my culinary career I remember vividly. While working at a local restaurant, I made some whoopie pies for the lunch crowd. A diner asked the Executive Chef if they could order a tray of them for an event. When I saw the receipt for how much they paid versus my $11 an hour to make them (which took an hour and a half), I thought about how much money I could pocket if I sold them myself. At the time, I had no clue about all the expense that goes into making, packaging, and marketing products. I thought it was all profit.
Regardless of the bottom line, I wouldn't change my decision to start my own business. Above everything, I have the ability to create without asking permission and focus on delighting my subscribers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is funding my business through revenue. In the beginning, my subscription was pre-order only. When I launched, the money I received from the pre-sale was used to purchase everything I needed for those first five boxes. Although I am seeking funding to grow the business, the model still exists today that I use the revenue from the subscribers to purchase supplies.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Early stage, the hardest thing is working in your business and on your business at the same time. I had to create boundaries for myself not to work 24 hours a day, seven days awake. I take days off when I need to, and I'm planning a vacation for the first time in 4 years!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Delight your customer
- Have a marketing plan
- Don't start a business; learn how to start a business and implement what you learned along the way
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://marshmallowofthemonthclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefsfarrell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsfarrell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChefSFarrell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefsfarrell/
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.
