Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rob Patenaude, Owner of Wine Kitz Calgary, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

At Wine Kitz, we sell beer, wine, and cider kits that our clients can make at home, or we are now permitted to make the kits for them. Our clients range from retired (previous home winemakers) to lovers so low-cost, high-quality wine to hobbyists.

Tell us about yourself

As a former bartender, this business makes perfect sense to me. We are able to provide delicious beverages at a fraction of typical retail pricing. I love sharing my love of the craft with our clients (new and existing).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Now that we are able to offer the ferment-on-premise option, we've renovated the shop to incorporate a production area for the wines and also a bottling area for our clients.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The biggest challenge as a business owner is the administrative side and also educating the public as to the low-price and high quality of our products.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

There are two ways to make money: sell more products and reduce your costs. Optimize both of those aspects, and you'll succeed. With current technology, it is possible to start at a micro level and expand from there. You don't need to start with a storefront and lots of inventory.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://winekitzcalgary.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WineKitzCalgaryVarsity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winekitz_varsity/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/winekitzcalgary
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wine-kitz-varsity/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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