Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hollie Fraser, founder of Punk Rock Pastries, located in Burnaby, BC.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Punk Rock Pastries is a one of a kind cake shop. We specialize in all things weird and wonderful. The customers who come to punk rock pastries are searching for that out of the ordinary cake or pastry.
Tell us about yourself
I'm Hollie Deville I first opened Punk Rock Pastries in July 2019. But started the Business in 2018 when I got absolutely sick of running other peoples companies that I started my own. You see I had no idea what I was getting myself into and all I wanted to do was make fun amazing products that are weird crazy and weird like me.
I learnt so much from just starting my business and how hard it would be to get the doors even opened. 2 fundraisers later after running out of money we finally made it. Everyday I get to wake up and go create amazing out of the box cakes and pastries its what keeps me going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My Biggest accomplishment would have to be surviving the first 2 years of the pandemic. PRP was only 10 months old when Covid took off so for us to be still around is amazing. I watched so many of my friends shops close down around me that I was sure we where headed in the same direction. But we changed our strategies and used social media to our advantage and we stayed a float.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's definitely struggling to be a Business owner, a worker, a wife and a mom to an amazing 5 year old. The work life balance is really hard and each day I'm learning a new way to manage it all.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Research your area work out where the best location is if your wanting a brick and mortar. Find your ideal client and market your products to them, these will be the customers that keep coming back. Take it one day at a time if you rush too fast you may stumble and fall but keep at a steady pace and you will get there eventually.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Remember not everyone is going to love your product but take it with a grain of salt because for those few people that don't love it there will be hundreds that do. Also remember to breathe.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.punkrockpastries.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punkrockpastries/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/punkrockpastries/
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.