Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverages but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Graham Sorkin, co-founder and chief of staff of The Functional Chocolate Company, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Founded in 2020, The Functional Chocolate Company™ is headquartered in Evergreen, Colorado. With a team from consumer product development, confectionery, nutraceutical, women's health, and nutrition backgrounds, we've learned that there is a better way to treat everyday health realities.
We believe that treating your health should be a treat. When we aren't feeling our best, the last thing we want is a bitter pill with uncertain side effects. Pairing chocolate with clinically researched ingredients and powerful botanicals is simply a better option for managing our everyday health realities.
With the goals of inclusivity and ethical practices, all products are vegan, non-GMO, low-glycemic, cholesterol, and gluten-free to ensure they are inclusive of common health concerns and accessible to as many consumers as possible.
Tell us about yourself
My team and I have been working in consumer goods with a focus on health and wellness for years now. After spending the last few years in the burgeoning cannabis industry, where we launched a couple of national brands, we had an opportunity to pivot out of that space to focus on a broader and more unique opportunity.
It is so refreshing to be able to offer innovative products that are available to help everyone everywhere without the myriad restrictions and limitations of cannabis.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our proudest accomplishment with The Functional Chocolate Company, so far, is how quickly we have been able to scale the reach of our products. We sold our first products in February 2021. By Spring, we were in more than 300 locations across 36 states, with incredible interest from some of the largest natural products distributors and retailers. Most importantly, the feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive and motivating.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, uncertainty is one of the biggest challenges of running a business. No day is ever the same. There’s always going to be something new to learn, solve or fix. Of course, I also see that as a benefit, as things never gets boring. Like they say, “If it was easy, everyone would do it!”
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Plan for the unexpected.
- Assume everything will take twice as long and 3x the budget.
- Most importantly -- Surround yourself with good people, and good things happen.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://funcho.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionalchoc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FunctionalChoc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/functionalchoc/
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.