Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jonathan Ingrisani, partner and co-founder of The Fruit Kings, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
After a few years of living in Asia, my friend and I decided to bring one of the best products from there over to the U.S. - dried fruit. We've sold dried mangoes, pineapples, and strawberries imported from the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam in 2021 and are looking to expand into more fruits in 2022. Our customers are primarily fun-loving, healthy-eating, online shoppers in the U.S.
Tell us about yourself
I studied finance and accounting and worked in finance at Philips for about 8 years. I spent 4 of those years abroad, and when COVID-19 came it was time to move back to the U.S. I decided that this was also an ideal time to transition into entrepreneurship. In 2021 I moved to Las Vegas and started this business. I'm motivated to be a part of businesses that are making the world a better place, and dried fruit was a great place to start.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishments were getting our first sale on Amazon, and getting on the shelves of a supermarket for the first time. Branding and sourcing our products from Vietnam was a time-consuming process, so it was quite an achievement when the business started to really get going.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In my business, the most difficult part is importing products from abroad. It can be complicated dealing with suppliers in a foreign country and narrowing down the best quality and price, while ensuring that products are properly stocked.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The first tip would be to build a team. A lot of new business owners think they can do everything themselves, but it is often far more successful to have a team of like-minded people that all believe in your company's mission.
The second tip is to start a business that you truly believe in. This will help give you the motivation that's required to succeed as an entrepreneur since you'll be helping make people's lives better with your effort.
The third tip is to build a social media presence. It is a great way to keep your customers updated and support organic growth of the business.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to watch our expansion in 2022! We're very excited to bring new products to our customers and continue on this journey.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/thefruitkings/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathaningrisani/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFruitKings
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.
