Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Rogers, owner of Ritual Doughnuts, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ritual Doughnuts is not your average doughnut business! We make gourmet doughnuts from delicious brioche dough, and most of our toppings and fillings are made from scratch!
We rotate our menu seasonally, have a special flavour of the week, and add or change our menu for holidays. We also have a doughnut subscription service! Each month you get a new box of flavours with a variety of the above-mentioned and some exclusive flavours that no one else can order.
You can order online for delivery or pick up, and you can head to one of our seven retail partners (find locations on our website) to pick up doughnuts. But get there early; they sell out fast!
Tell us about yourself
Ritual Doughnuts was started in 2018 by myself (Ashley Rogers). After graduating from culinary school, I always knew I wanted to start my own business. After spending time working my way through different parts of the dessert world, an opportunity to start my business came along. I knew it was time to give it a try. I've been a huge fan of doughnuts since I was a kid; it was our family's Saturday morning ritual to get Tim Hortons for breakfast (when Tim's was good!!). At the time, Calgary didn't have many doughnut shops, and I wanted to create something similar to a Voo-Doo Donuts experience in Calgary.
Honestly, what motivates me each day is I get to be my own boss and spend the wee hours of the morning making delicious doughnuts with some really awesome humans!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is turning my one-woman show into a production team of 4! They help me achieve my doughnut dream every day, and I am so incredibly grateful for them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning not to sweat the small stuff or take things personally! Sometimes sh*t happens, not everyone is going to like your product, and that's ok. Learn from it and move on!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with like-minded people! I keep in touch with a close circle of women who own their own baking businesses. It's always great to meet up with them to chat business, get advice, and vent! It makes the entrepreneur world not as lonely.
- Being a business owner is 24/7! You will work way more hours for yourself than you would for someone else. Get used to it!
- Make sure you love what you're doing! It sounds cliche, but it's so true. I wouldn't get up at 3 am if I didn't love doughnuts!!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
You just have to start!! Don't worry that your business plan is perfect or your branding needs work. Get your feet wet and figure the rest out as it comes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ritualdoughnuts.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritualdoughnuts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritualdoughnuts/
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.