Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with SAVtakeOut, located in Savannah, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a local food delivery and pickup service representing select local restaurants and specialty merchants.
Tell us about yourself
I moved to Savannah after living in Dubai for twelve years with my previous career. I've always been in the food and beverage and the hospitality industry. I wanted to open my own cafe here in Savannah and offer delivery as part of our service. I was introduced to a local delivery company out of Statesboro, Georgia, which is a university town. They had already been in operation for over a decade.
I loved the concept and knew the convenience of delivery works after living in Dubai for 12 years, where 6-months of the year is smelting hot, so we could order in from our favorite restaurants whenever we wanted. I knew it would work in Savannah. We have great local restaurants and small business owners with great products. We wanted to be an extension of their service. We are particular as to who we decide to work with as offering a quality selection and maintaining a good relationship with the businesses we work with is important to us.
I enjoy my relationships with our local business owners and their staff. Knowing that we have a solid customer base who look to us to provide such a select profile of restaurants and merchants and the responsibility of representing our partnering businesses well is a great challenge though very rewarding.
Our success is mostly thanks to our team of delivery drivers and dispatchers. They share in the responsibility and understand they are the face and voice of our e-commerce business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Starting our first business after only recently moving to the USA, gaining the trust of the local businesses we represent and work with, having such an excellent team of drivers and dispatchers, winning multiple awards - the latest being Business of the Year for 2021 from our Buy Local Savannah organization.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The responsibility we have towards those businesses we represent with our service, and the responsibility to maintain and grow business to keep the team you work with busy. We've got great customers, some of who depend on our service. Taking care of them isn't necessarily a challenge but a top priority.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your market.
- Be patient.
- Accept when things don’t go the way you wanted them to, learn from it, try again.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.savtakeout.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAVtakeOut/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savtakeout/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savtakeout-com/
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.
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