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| {Source: Consider It Joy Baking Facebook Page} |
Last week, Elizabeth from Consider It Joy, shared how she finds inspiration to create delicious, wholesome food. You can order delicious paleo treats in advanced or stop by her store! This week she is giving us more insight into being an entrepreneur! If you have ever wondered what it’s like to peak inside the mind of a foodie entrepreneur, read more below!
When did you realize that the demand for paleo/gluten free foods was enough to branch out into a store front and full business? Was it immediate? It wasn’t immediate to me. When we decided to make this lifestyle change, I had only ever heard of Paleo from a friend of mine who did Crossfit. I thought it was simply something athletes did–I had no idea that eating this way could provide so many health benefits–especially to those dealing with autoimmune issues. When we took the leap into Paleo, I was very open about it–posting on Facebook and eventually starting a blog. As I began experimenting at home and sharing our successes (health-wise and in the kitchen) more and more people began contacting me to see if I would bake for them. I came to a point where I knew that this lifestyle was gaining momentum and if I didn’t open a bakery like this, someone else would, and frankly I couldn’t live with that! While I felt Consider it Joy would succeed, I imagined it more as a cozy little bakery with a handful of very dedicated customers. I never thought of it being much more than that. I could have never predicted the growth and popularity that we have experienced.
For like minded entrepreneurs, what advice would you give to help them take their idea from just an idea into true business?
I would say that one of the single most important things I did was to harness the power of social media long before opening. Shortly after making our dietary change, I started a blog and then dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages that I used for posting recipes, pictures, ideas and more. While I had no idea at that time that I would eventually open a business, in a sense, I was already ‘meeting’ and forming relationships with future customers. On the day we opened, we hadn’t advertised anywhere and we didn’t even have a sign yet, but through social media, so many people heard about it. I truly only expected family and friends to show up to that “soft opening”, yet we nearly sold out the first day and our sales were comparable to what you would expect from an advertised grand opening. We still attribute our rapid growth to word of mouth and the reach that we can achieve using social media.
What was the most challenging part about starting your own business?
The most challenging thing is definitely the massive amount of time you have to put in–especially that first year. I was a full-time mom for most of my kids’ lives and suddenly I was pouring nearly every ounce of myself into running this business. That was a huge shift, and without an amazingly supportive family, I just don’t know if it would have been possible.
What part did you find to be easier than you originally thought?
My next answer is going to sound funny considering how I answered the last question. While putting so much time into a business is challenging, it is also the easiest part. I truly love what I do. I love being at my bakery, whether I’m baking muffins, bagging my one millionth bag of granola or washing dishes. When you love something, putting in the time is easy. Almost too easy to the point that it can be consuming–you have to be careful to stay balanced.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a business owner?
The most rewarding part for me is my customers. I always say we have the best customers, and it’s true! They always thank us for what we do. They thank us for feeding their families and providing healthy meals that they don’t have time to make. Our customers with medical dietary restrictions are able to walk into a store and buy a treat without worrying that it will make them sick–that is something that so many of us take for granted every day. It warms my heart to even be a part of their story.
If you missed last week’s interview with Elizabeth, click to read Part 1 here! Thank you, again, to Elizabeth and the Consider It Joy baking team for taking the time to answer our questions. We really loved learning more about the company and are looking forward to our next bakery visit!
Do you have a local business you would like to share with the Be Well readers? Email us today at rainiecarterrd@gmail.com!
