Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel.
Hi Daniel , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Bodega started opened February 2020. Great time to open a business, right? We had dreams of being “Downtown Greensboro’s” Grocery Convenience store. Quickly that changed. March 2020, we shut the doors. We opened up when we could over 2020 but for the most part closed and put in our sandwich kitchen to re-open in January 2021. Since then, we have made our name for ourselves at one of Greensboro’s top Sandwich destinations as well as downtown Greensboro’s go to for all convenience store. We offer all your convenience snacks, drinks, consignment items, apparel, THC/CBD products as well as our own Delta 9 beverage called “The Bodega Soda” which we will be releasing into the RDU area in the fall. Currently our Delta sodas can be found all over the Triad, Charlotte and Coastal NC areas.
We are mainly set up as a to-go food destination, but we do offer limited seating inside and a fenced in patio. Our patio also doubles as a venue for private parties and public events. We do what we can in our city to give our patrons something to look forward to when they walk in the doors.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing in small business is “smooth” or “easy” but over time you learn easier ways to operate. My partner, Nick Benshoff, and I have previous experience with our own businesses before we became partners. Together we bring 20-25 years of entrepreneurial experience.
The first year opening during covid taught a lot about inventory management and control. Do we really need to carry this? Should we keep extra of this? They carry this, should we? But it’s competition, and we have proven that we thrive in that environment.
Having a business takes a lot of trial and error. Just because and idea or concept works for one, does not mean it works for another. We have had a trial by fire with finances, margins & inventory from our experiences. If there is anything I could recommend to those wanting to go all in on their dream: Learn, listen, pay attention and watch those three things like a hawk.
Over the years we have been fortunate to be able to handle issues with little stress. If equipment didn’t die over time I would say we operate stress free, haha.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My background is branding/design and beverage industry, and my partner Nick’s is food industry, and he’s also a dope artist. We both have had established names and reputations in North Carolina. We wanted to do business together for years and knew we could knock this concept out of the park by being ourselves doing what we love. You could say we manifested it over time. The Bodega has grown to be known as a destination of love, food and community. We also started our own delta soda company called “The Bodega Soda” and since we’ve launched it in 2024 we have grown into three regional areas of the state. We are going for classic soda flavors with low dosage, and with all the vibes. Branding and flavors put us ahead of any other competing brand in the state. We can’t wait to launch into the Raleigh/Durham market in the fall. Do yourself a faovr and it out at www.thebodegasoda.com. Share a picture of you enjoying one and we might feature you on our social media.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
No risk, no reward. It is true. This is the seventh business I have owned, operated or partnered in at the age of 42. I love seeing what I am capable of doing. Being creative in business is huge for me. It is about trying something my way with my design and vision. That is worth it all to me. There is no better feeling then watching your idea grow and develop into something that people want to spend their hard earned money to buy. This career path is not for everyone. If you are scared to fail, then you may need to evaluate what failing really means. It is rare you get it right the first time in business, especially in this food & beverage industry, but it doesn’t mean you are a failure, or that you should quit. You think the greats gave up after a mistake? No. They keep putting it all on the line to get their goal.
Pricing:
- Mid range pricing for food
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bodegagso.com and www.thebodegasoda.com
- Instagram: @thebodegagso @bo_soda_official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057198373829
