Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joanna Benadrete, founder, and CEO of Days Off Bites, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Ultimately, our business is helping consumers live happier, healthier lives through providing clean label functional goods to market. We are launching with our direct-to-consumer, functional chocolate brand. Our chocolates are made with functional ingredients you know and trust. They are gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, paleo, refined sugar-free, and 100% organic ingredients. They're infused with superfoods, which consumers can enjoy daily without the stomach ache, sugar crash, or guilt that come with mainstream chocolate--because consumers deserve a day off from all that stress.

Tell us about yourself

I founded Days Off Bites while on a quest to discover what makes people live happier, healthier lives. Before launching my company, I invested in venture capital in the health and food-tech industries. I saw a problem with the way the current food, healthcare, and agricultural systems work, and I wanted to contribute to changing them for the better. As an integrative health coach with a strong conviction in functional medicine, the main question she asked was, "What allows you to wake up feeling energized & ready to seize the day?" I found that food plays a big role. It scientifically affects how we feel, but advising people to "eat better" is easier said than done. I realized that it's all about small steps. It's the daily actions that add up. My mission is to make the "better" option consumers want to choose. To help consumers take daily steps toward feeling good, mentally & physically. Cue DAYS OFF: The better for you, upgraded dark chocolate that Tastes Naughty but Acts Nice.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been learning how to be okay with imperfection. As a business owner, you quickly learn that it's about solving problems daily. Issues will always arise, and rather than react to them emotionally, I've learned to expect them and thoughtfully think through ways to resolve them.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the biggest challenges is learning how to set boundaries. As a business owner, the work is 24/7. You're constantly working to make your business a success and to bring your ideas to fruition. Learning how to create work/life balance, take a step back from work, and set proper boundaries is an integral process to the entrepreneurship life.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Look for a partner whose strengths are your weaknesses.
  2. Take it one step at a time. As an entrepreneur, you most likely have a big vision and are eager to fulfill it immediately. It's important to outline the steps you'll need to get there and celebrate each win, no matter how small, along the way!
  3. Embrace imperfection and remain open-minded. Starting a business is messy. You may need to pivot along the way; events may not turn out the way you expected--but therein lies the beauty of entrepreneurship!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I truly love and believe in what I do! My life goal is to help people live happier, healthier lives through making foods that both taste and feel good from within--that's the ultimate goal. My dream is to replace the current market dominants with foods that are truly good for us and don't make the consumer feel like they're sacrificing taste for health, or vice versa.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://daysoffbites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daysoffbites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daysoffbites/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoannaBenadrete
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/days-off-bites/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.