Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Debbie Seaford, owner of Whistling Boar, located in Louisville, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Whistling Boar! We are a scratch caterer/private chef company and artisan bread bakery. Our mission is to create soulful food experiences using sustainable practices. Our brand is locally driven and sources most of our ingredients within 20 miles of our kitchen. Our customers are in every demographic within Boulder County (and beyond!). We bake and deliver artisan breads, celebrate Colorado farms and ranchers through community farm dinners, and help customers celebrate special occasions with private event service. We also donate 1% of every sale to Zero Foodprint, which gives grants to support more local farms here in Colorado to make the changes needed to create a more sustainable future with land stewardship.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in a very close-knit Caribbean family where celebrations were always a family matter. From wedding cakes to the food to the decorations, we did everything. Food and events have always been representative of togetherness to me. Since I was 16, I've wanted to have my own events company. My career began in NYC fine-dining kitchens and catering companies, where I learned through experience how to plan, cook and produce an event of just about any size. When my family and I moved here, the next inevitable step would be to open a company that reflected our vision of sustainability, community connection, and food art.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the community connection our company has been a part of. To get to know the farmers and other vendors has been monumental to us being able to do what we do. And with that - the community connections that we are creating have opened our children's eyes to what can happen when you work together. It truly does take a village.
We must also honorably mention that we just received our Slow Food Boulder Snail Of Approval! The Slow Food Snail of Approval award is a recognition given to food and beverage establishments that are pursuing and practicing Slow Food values in their business. We are honored to be recognized!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time management is probably one of the hardest things to deal with as a small business owner. There never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything done, and work-life sometimes overlaps with home life.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be passionate and love what you are doing, selling, and making.
- Know that the first three years are the hardest.
- Self-care: carve out time that is just for you, even if it is just 30 minutes a day. Take back your time every single day!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.whistlingboar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whistlingboar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boar_chef/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoarWhistling
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.