Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tariq Al Barwani, co-founder of Plentea Inc., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We opened our tea bar in 2016 in the Parkdale neighborhood of Toronto because we found that we were never satisfied with the tea selections and flavors in the city. Our desire to start this business grew out of the recognition that tea can be absolutely amazing when crafted with care, creativity, and respect. Our tea bar gained recognition as Toronto's go-to place for phenomenal tea creations and deliciously fragrant tea blends.
This isn't your grandma's cup of tea! At Plentea, we believe that creating unique tea blends is an art form and an experience for the senses. We ethically source our teas and meticulously select all of our ingredients before making it to your cup so that each blend is as bold, delicious, and fragrant as possible. We take our teas seriously, and our loose-leaf selections encourage you to create the perfect, personalized cup of tea every time.
Our beautifully crafted tea lattes are what makes us stand out in Toronto. Each latte was made-to-order, with passion, time, and care put into each creation. As dedicated "Tea Tenders," we will continue to create teas and recipes that blend familiarity with ingredients you wouldn't think of – it will always be our passion.
The demographics of our customers are typically between 25 and 50 years of age, adventurous, have the expendable income to spend on new experiences, and are usually big on supporting local businesses. More importantly, our customers are awesome!
Tell us about yourself
I am an engineer by education and worked in the field for almost ten years before opening Plentea. I was brought up to follow a very traditional trajectory to get a professional education and work in that field; however, my inner entrepreneur had other ideas. I started a couple of failed businesses, but those really laid the foundation for me to smartly build Plentea into what it is today. I love the challenge of creating something from scratch that was a mere imagination then actualizing it into being. I am driven by the challenge to always deliver above and beyond experiences for my customers. I believe that as a business owner, you are obligated to be at your "best" (be it through constant educational self-improvement or keeping your mental and physical state as peak as possible) for your customers. They trust you for what you do; that's why they spend money with you and advocate for you. That's what drives me to be a better and dedicated business owner every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This is a tough question as I tend to be humble-minded as it keeps me hungry to keep leveling up. However, I am proud to have built a strong community around a brand I created, then having to pivot into something completely different with our current e-commerce business but still have that community support us.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
SALES!! As a business owner, it's never guaranteed, consistent, or a right that you have. You need to wake up every day and earn it through a great team that delivers experiences, products, touchpoints, social validation, happiness, and ease your customer consciously or subconsciously wants.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Finances: NEVER take your eyes off this plan, budget, track, adjust.
- Honesty and Service:
a. Be humble and honest with your customers.
b. Think of how you want to be treated or how you would treat a loved one and do an even better job with your customers.
c. Remember, they can easily walk away from you. Don't take them for granted. - Product consistency and Quality: Once you have found your magic elixir and start selling it, be consistent, and if it has to change. Manage customer expectations and do what needs to be done so they are not disappointed.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
You have heard that business is hard, and most fail. I would say this is an understatement; however, never give up! Keep at it, keep improving, Network, keep your boots on the ground with the customers and keep an open mind that you can ALWAYS be better. Make those consistent 1% improvements and celebrate the small wins with your team!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://plentea.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlenteaTeaBar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plentea.teabar/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3teO9DC
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.