Photo by bsykoraWhen Pleasant Pops announced its Kickstarter campaign to help fund its first upcoming brick-and-mortar shop back in March, supporters immediately flooded the effort with pledges. In just a few days, the bearers of fruit-flavored frozen pops reached their goal of $20,000 with 309 backers. By deadline, the campaign had 423 backers for a total of $26,366. Not bad for a business that started out as a push-cart two years ago.
So founders Brian Sykora and Roger Horowitz have been busy. In addition to hawking pops at farmers markets and festivals throughout the metro-area, they’ve been meeting with contractors, navigating D.C. government agencies and consulting with other small business owners in the city as they prepare to launch Pleasant Pops Farmhouse Market and Cafe in time for a summer opening.
Sykora and Horowitz were gracious enough to take some time to answer a few questions for the first interview in the “Meet Local Entrepreneurs” weekend series.
Hometown:
Brian: Raleigh, NC
Roger: Larchmont, NY
How long have you been in D.C.?
Brian: Since May 2008
Roger: Since March 2009
What’s the best part about the city?
Brian: Spring time at Meridian Hill Park
Roger: Biking around and walkability
Why did you decide to start your own business?
Brian: The challenge. I enjoy taking on new things, and I don’t mind failing gracefully.
Roger: I love being my own boss.
What’s the biggest challenge of being a small business owner?
Brian: Setting the pace and the agenda. We’re constantly re-evaluating and trying to make improvements in the midst of a seven-day work week.
Roger: Maintaining discipline because you are your own boss and working really long hours.
Most rewarding part?
Brian: Small wins like being invited to join the DuPont Farmers Market this summer. Sometimes great opportunities just happen when the time is right.
Roger: Being able to be in charge and make your own hours; and enjoying what you do.
What drives you to succeed?
Roger: Wanting to keep my business, which I love, alive.
What’s the best advice you received when you were going to launch Pleasant Pops and the upcoming market and cafe?
Brian: “Don’t do it!” Then, instead of giving up, we asked successful local businesses how they decided to go brick and mortar.
Roger: Start small and keep it simple.
Parting thoughts:
Brian: Loving your work is contagious.
Roger: Big ideas are hard to execute. I’d say to always start slowly at a small scale.
