Q: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Keith Lorren Global LLC specializes in providing culinary content and materials to enhance the cooking of ethnic cuisines from around the world. We currently offer culinary instructional videos and 9 varieties of spice blends including:
Keith’s Fried Chicken/Poultry Seasoning, Keith’s Beef & Oxtail Seasoning, Keith’s All Purpose Seasoning, Keith’s Collard Green Seasoning, Keith’s BBQ Rub, Keith’s Jerk Seasoning, Keith’s Garlic Chipotle BBQ Rub, Keith’s Seafood Bliss seasoning and Keith’s Steak Seasoning
Our seasoning blends are hand crafted where the finest ingredients are used, without being overly salty. These are made without the use of pesticides.
Q: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: Keith Lorren, President, has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL and is pursuing a Culinary Degree from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY
Q: What ignited the spark in you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: A wise man once asked me a series of questions and then made a profound statement. He said, “ Keith, what is it that you love to do? What is that one thing the majority of your time is spent pursuing, whether you get paid or not? When you arrive at that answer, stick to that one thing, do it often, do it well, and become the best at what you love doing. Once you master that, the money will come abundantly, and you will never work a day in your life.
I figured out that cooking, travelling and uniting the world through food was my passion. I decided to devote my efforts in these pursuits and I’ve never worked since. I love what I do, and my customers all over the world have responded with love by supporting Keith Lorren Spice blends, culinary instructional videos, and travel videos.
Q: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: Nothing. I learned valuable lessons from all of my experiences and will not make the same mistakes twice.
Q: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Being a people person, maintaining a positive outlook and be flexible but relentless towards the completion of your goal
Q: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: If it is your passion and your love, never give up and never quit. It will work, but only if you are determined to stay focused and make it work!
Q: How do you define success?
Ans: I define success as being happy, healthy, and content with your self, your surroundings, having positive family relationships, and to have the financial freedom to do and acquire your hearts desires while giving to those in need.
Q: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: To always keep in mind that the journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step. Make sure that you are taking a step each day towards your goal and eventually you will reach it.
Q: Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: I did not have a lot of money to begin my business, so I did what everyone said not to do. I put the horse before the carriage, meaning that I just used what I had at the particular time. I had a video camera, I knew how to cook and I knew my spices were the best. I started telling people in my videos to buy my spices before I had a spice company. When I got enough orders, I used the money to buy the supplies needed, mixed the spices together in my college dorm and started mailing it out to the customers. As the business grew, I could afford to have them professionally packaged, purchase professional video equipment/staff, and the rest is history. Use what you have and just get started!
Q: How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: First, you have to determine a need. When you can supply that need, you will have customers. Once you have customers, keep them happy. Let them know how much you appreciate them, communicate with them. When the customers are happy, They become free salesmen for you. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertisement!
Q: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Yes, you have to be passionate about your product or service, and not be afraid to let the world know about it!
Q: To what do you most attribute your success? What would say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business?
Ans: FAITH! faith in god, faith in his abillity to guide and protect me, faith in my self and in my craft, faith that everything will work out perfectly. The bible says that we are created in God’s Image. If this is true, which i believe it to be, we have the power to create and manifest that which makes us happy and fulfilled.
Have an idea, write it down with a date that you want it accomplished by, believe it is possible and get started! Keep going no matter what!
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?.
Ans: Everyday is satisfying because I am living my life’s dream. All of my desires are coming true and I am thankful for all that God has blessed me with. I work hard towards my goals, and when they are accomplished, I am overjoyed.
Q: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Fun!
Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: Paying companies for service before the work has been completed.
Q: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: My work is my fun and my fun is my work. I cook, I travel, I give to those in need, I party, and I go to beaches. I also like to design clothing and jewellery.