Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kyle Carpani, founder of Zafiato Coffee Roasters, located in Tillsonburg, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We roast coffee that is beloved by a wide spectrum of coffee drinkers - coffee that the largest array of tasters would call "good" coffee. And truly good coffee doesn't just happen. There's a lot of meticulous care and effort that goes into a great bag of coffee - a culmination of a ton of passion. We work hard to introduce our well-appreciated coffee to coffee drinkers of all types through partnering with independently-owned cafes all across southern Ontario.
Tell us about yourself
You could say that Zafiato was born from a heritage of Italian traditions passed on by our grandparents. We like to think Zafiato Coffee Roasters is carrying forward our family's passion for amazing coffee. Every one of our blends are meticulously handcrafted from the highest quality beans and are sourced from some of the most incredible coffee producers on earth.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I can't claim too many accomplishments only being in the second year of our start-up, but the fact that Zafiato Coffee Roasters is still here and growing, even in a pandemic, is an achievement in itself. Our biggest accomplishment will be to create a long-term, sustainable business that can offer a few good employment opportunities in the community and eventually open our roastery to the public as a contemporary attraction for the area.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
From the onset of Zafiato Coffee Roasters, customer service has been of the utmost importance to us. It's why just last week we personally delivered an order to a customer 90 km away with only one day's notice because they unexpectedly ran out of product. The challenge is finding the balance between going above and beyond for every customer, while trying to make a little profit at the end of each month! I'd say finding that balance for each customer is one of the hardest things about being in business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Plan and over plan.
- Work towards your plan and measure your progress regularly.
- Remember that growing a business from the ground up is not easy - it takes time, grit, and unwavering passion.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.zafiato.coffee/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zafiato/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zafiato/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zafiatoroasters
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zafiato-coffee-roasters/
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.
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