Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Meemken, Founder and CEO of All Clean Food, LLC., located in Minnetonka, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
All Clean Food makes organic, gluten-free, allergy-friendly meals for ALL around the table. Plant-based, quick, healthy, and delicious! We sell our shelf-stable meals in retail stores across the US, on Amazon, and on our website.
Tell us about yourself
As a Licensed Therapist, I have always cared about helping people eat well and feel well. However, when we had children and discovered they had a lot of food allergies, food went from a topic I loved to something very stressful! We quickly discovered there were no easy, healthy meal options in the stores for families like ours. So, I created a solution!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It feels like a big accomplishment to grow the business every month while still maintaining health and balance for my family. I am extra proud of being a finalist in several pitch competitions and winning a food award for our Porcini Mushroom Pasta, which (like the other flavors) I created in my very own kitchen with my kids as the "tasters."
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Right now, the toughest thing is the longing (and sometimes pressure) to grow, but without access to the capital needed for that growth. We are finding at our stage that we need to get very creative and scrappy when it comes to keeping the business afloat.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get yourself as mentally healthy as possible and continue to work on your emotional health. Owning a business is super emotionally challenging because it will trigger every fear and insecurity deep inside. Know that this is normal, and keep working at it like it's part of your job.
- Find amazing mentors in your field and ask every question you can, even ones that feel obvious. There are no dumb questions.
- Form relationships with potential investors, make goals, and keep them updated on your progress towards your goals. The book "Traction" can help you track your progress.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I am honored to offer our meals to others and happy to support other female business owners. Reach out on LinkedIn!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://allcleanfood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allcleanfoodforall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/all_cleanfood/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurameemken/
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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