Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anne Osgood, Founder of Open Road Candy Co., located in Fullerton, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Open Road Candy Co. is a wilderness and road trip-inspired, small-batch candy company that focuses on bringing people together to enjoy handcrafted, delicious creations. Our treats are best enjoyed with good people and fresh air! As a company, we're proud to support The National Park Foundation and Santa Monica Mountains Fund because we believe our wild spaces are worth protecting and preserving for future generations.
Tell us about yourself
Driven by a passion for delicious, high-quality confections and a love for exploring wild spaces, I started Open Road Candy Co. in 2018. As a child, my family often took road trips zig-zagging across California and to National Parks. It was that time together that I now realize gave me a deep appreciation for getting outside, exploring new places, and spending time connecting with your favorite people. I hope to inspire my customers to enjoy these simple pleasures in life too.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'll never not be flattered and honored when someone exclaims, "I am obsessed with your candy!" It's an amazing feeling. When I stop to think about all of the people who have gotten joy from something I made, I'm blown away. I've been able to grow my little business into twelve retail locations, and we're still growing. I'm proud to have built something from scratch and inspire my children to chase their dreams too.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Balancing work and family is always a challenging thing. There's never quite enough time in the day for everything, so careful prioritization is a must. It's not possible to do everything really well all at once, especially with two young kids at home and a third on the way! But even on the hardest days, I'm incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love and be surrounded by "beautiful chaos," as I like to call it!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn as much as you can from free resources such as your local SBA, and reach out to people you admire for mentorship or just informational interviews. Do as much as you can to keep costs down - especially as you're just getting started.
- Prioritize your time based on what tasks will move your business forward and make you money. It's easy to get sidetracked by a mile-long to-do list and lose focus. Put your time into what keeps your momentum going.
- Create the life you want, even if that version of "success" doesn't align with other people's definition. Sometimes that means NOT growing at a breakneck speed or working incessantly, but instead pacing yourself so you can enjoy life with your family and friends. Only you get to define what success looks like for you!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.openroadcandy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openroadcandy/
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.
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