Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in foof and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ellie Tucker, Owner of Joyful Spirit LLC, located in North Yarmouth, ME, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Joyful Spirit hand makes 4 flavors of naturally sweetened vegan, gluten-free Dellie Bars out of a kitchen on an organic farm just north of Portland, ME. Customers are folks who are conscious of their diet, whether they are GF, vegan, and/or want to ingest only real, wholesome foods with no added sugars.
Tell us about yourself
The idea of Dellie Bars came about years ago when hiking with friends who were self-proclaimed "healthy" eaters. Their trail snacks were massed produced granola bars that were loaded with sugars and preservatives. After having "bricks and mortar" for years and dealing with 7-day shelf life foods, I wanted to contribute to the healthier side of diets with a shelf-stable product. The first flavor Dellie Bars came to me during a run just after that hike, and after experimenting a little, I was happy with the Bar. The three other flavors followed soon after. While initially working in a shared commercial kitchen in Portland, I had the advantage of plenty of taste testers who offered constructive feedback.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting into retailers who were on my "bucket list." Making it through the pandemic!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Sourcing ingredients and packaging. Distribution. Supply chains during the pandemic were challenging. Price increases- it's becoming difficult to keep my wholesale prices at a reasonable level as the cost of goods continually rises.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Pay attention to what your customer wants.
- Have a contingency plan for when something goes wrong.
- Be flexible and listen to your customers.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.joyfulspiritme.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulspiritmaine/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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