Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taniya Ahmed. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Taniya, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge for profitability in the cafe/coffee/food industry is that there are several moving parts and complex issues.

Being in an industry with a failure rate of 90% is already challenging, but making a profit is highly stressful. The odds are against you from the get go. I’m entering an overcrowded market with thin profit margins, and we heavily depend on walk in foot traffic.

We want to show people what makes our cafe special. We always have to ask ourselves, why should customers choose us over the competitor? Our collective goal has always been to focus on high-quality food and beverages with exceptional customer service. It’s as simple as that to maintain and improve customer retention.

However, I believe we can offset all of these challenges and overcome these issues by creating + executing a strong marketing plan and developing a brand identity.

But all in all, it’s like a dance. We’re constantly trying to control costs, and the market is constantly fluctuating with the cost of goods (paper, plastic, food, produce, shipping items etc.) This requires a lot of organization and systems. There are a variety of factors that come into play. It’s a gamble. You have to be courageous every step of the way. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but sometimes the juice is worth the squeeze.

Taniya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in South Asian culture, and food is often a love language. I have always felt like my grandma was showing her affection through her cooking. Before opening my own place, I learned a lot from working at a big beverage company and from successful restaurant friends. Finally, I took a leap and jumped in, ready to serve quality food and beverages with a smile. That’s how Sunbliss was born.

At Sunbliss Cafe, we are passionate about providing our customers with superior quality food and beverage offerings.

We believe that food is a way to connect with people, to celebrate life, and to find joy and satisfaction in the small things. That’s why we are passionate about consistently providing our customers with a delectable and an uplifting experience.

We conscientiously source the freshest and highest-quality ingredients. We also prepare our beverages and food items with love and care, ensuring that every sip or bite is a taste of Sunbliss.

We take pride in being an active member of our community by showing our commitment to our neighborhood through hosting local community events. We proudly donate a portion of our profits to local charities that support our community.

Sunbliss Cafe is more than just a great place to eat. It is a place to come together and rejoice with friends, family, and other members of the community.

One thing we want people to know about Sunbliss Cafe is that we are committed to creating a positive impact locally and globally. We believe that business can be a force for good, and we are committed to utilizing our platform to make a difference in people’s lives.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

This individual in particular is someone that is my business partner. I call her my Ying to my Yang. My story with Sarah Neppl begins on the day she walked into Sunbliss in the year 2020 of July. This was a month after we opened our doors.

If you ask her, her side of the story is a bit serendipitous… but I really believe the universe wanted us to meet. Sarah was just a customer like everybody else, but the difference between her and everyone else was she continued to ask smart questions even after her experience at the register. She later messaged us on Instagram and the rest is history. Myself as the macro thinker needed a partner who was meticulous and focused on the micro perspective of the operation.

Sarah’s contributions to Sunbliss are invaluable. Because of Sarah, we have guidelines and execution. Her strengths are in implementation and people management. Barbra Corcoran once said, there are two types of people – the ultimate container (which I believe is Sarah) and the expander (me). Together, we create a powerful synergy.

Containers like Sarah provide critical thinking and meticulousness, while the expanders, me, are always pushing one step ahead of others. It is a reminder as to why co-founders and business partners are important to have in a line of leadership.

She is so crucially important to Sunbliss, and my overall business, as we grow, she will have a place to be a part of the Sunbliss official team as a recognized partner in our success.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The story of building our social media audience is quite a journey. Let me share some insights on how I navigated the world of social media and built a strong online footprint.

My number one tip: Do not overthink it! Consistently post every day, and start interacting with people within the area. It’s honestly as simple as knowing your audience. Understand your target audience and learn the type of content which resonates with them for engagement.

Follow the local pages, schools, and local customers. It’s about authentic connections and organic engagement with your community.

So my advice to social media newbies is this: Do not overthink it, jump in, adapt to your audience, and enjoy the evolving journey. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sunblisscafe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunblisscafe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunblisscafe
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunblisscafe
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunbliss-cafe-anaheim