Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Naina Kansal, co-founder of Tapri, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Ottawa's first-ever pop-up cafe selling chai tea. Tapri is also our pandemic baby-we started in 2020 while failing to find an authentic cup of chai. We really wanted people to try what a non-syrup-ey, no sugary, and all-natural chai can be. So we started through a commercial kitchen as a passion project but slowly had to stop for winters. We then started manufacturing these South Asian-inspired milk beverage bottles that our customers have been raving about.
Tell us about yourself
We started by seeing a real need in the market. After we started, almost all restaurants started selling chai here in Ottawa. First hurdle was definitely developing the recipes. What keeps us going now is absolutely the love of our customers. We had people who visited us every single week without skipping. That kept us going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Since we're super early stage, it's usually being known by our product in the community.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Persistence- No one's joking when they say entrepreneurship is a lonely journey. It's even harder when you are a new immigrant, a person of colour. Nonetheless, we've met exceptional people along the way and continue to make those relationships to date.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do it. Even if you feel you're not the right person to do it.
- Be disciplined and manage your schedule wisely.
- Don't be shy- reach out to people for help. You'll be surprised how many entrepreneurs will help you.
Where can people find you and your business?
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.