Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Pete Van Cleave, CEO of Water For Life, located in Woodstock, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
For 33 years, Water for Life has been helping people drink better tasting, healthier water in more planet-friendly, high tech, and affordable ways. Anyone who wants to have a better lifestyle, healthier body, and greater longevity will benefit by supporting our business. Who do you know that drinks water? Water for Life is not just a name or a slogan, it’s what we believe, and it’s our passionate mission to protect the water our customers drink.
Tell us about yourself
A person I admired in business whispered “water” in my ear. After six months of research, we developed a unique positioning, a marketing plan, and we “ jumped in the water,” so to speak! I absolutely love what I do and how what I do helps people. You’ll find a few examples in the videos on my website.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It’s been said that the hardest thing to do in business is to start up from scratch. We did that and succeeded where 90% of new businesses fail in the first three years.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I’d say balancing your work life and your home life. I saw a joke one time that showed pictures of a person swinging on a swing, and it was captioned, “I know there is a balance out there. I recognize it when I swing by!” That’s been me at times in my life, but when I realized that I could fully integrate my personal and professional life, I found my sweet spot for balance, and I also just feel grateful that I get to play at this level!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take a course in “How to start your own business from the Chamber of Commerce!
- If you want to run your business really well and you can do it, get your MBA!
- Make sure you have the kind of passion for your business that will carry you for a lifetime. If you love what you do, it’s like you get to play at your hobby but get paid for it! I doubt I’ll ever retire. I’ll certainly cut back and do less and less of the things I really don’t like, but what I’ve noticed is that I am getting more done at what I love to do, making more money, and working less.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Love God, love others, and love your work…in that order of priority. God will order your steps if you start and end your day with Him, and also check in with Him at lunch to see how your day is going, and He will bless all that you do. After God, love your family and friends, and clients every day. Last is your work. If you have your priorities straight, God will bless you when you don’t expect it and heal you when you do.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.waterforlifeonline.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pvcwflonlinecom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waterforlifeonline/
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.