Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coffee roasting but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Fadi Karam, co-founder of The Ministry of Coffee, an independently owned coffee shop with multiple locations in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our coffee company offers something different to our customers who are not easily impressed by the average coffee or the copy and paste type of shop. Our main focus from day one is to serve the best coffee that we can get our hands on and make that a comforting experience. Our model was to choose and rotate the best coffee from cafes worldwide and bring it to our city. Knowing what style of coffees our customers and ourselves loved, we finally started our own brand and started roasting on a state-of-the-art zero-emissions roaster.
Tell us about yourself
I envisioned my small little cafe while working in the hospitality business for many years in Ottawa and abroad. Working as a sommelier gave me the confidence to understand the most complicated beverage in the world (coffee, not wine). I knew I needed to do something different. After many failed partnerships and many lessons learned, and almost giving up entirely on this dream, I was introduced to Alex by a mutual coffee nerd. We decided on the first day of meeting that we were going to do something great. Doing something great and pushing the bar is what motivates us.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Knowing we can take our model and expertise to a foreign country and have it succeed beyond our imagination.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balancing family and work. Not once unplugging from the day to day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Read as much as possible.
- Work more on your business than in your business.
- You work for your employees. Not the other way around.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A dream can easily be turned into a nightmare without doing your homework. But don't stop dreaming!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.theministryofcoffee.com/
Instagram: @theministryofcoffee
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.