Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Burger, owner of alternative OATS, located in Alexandria, VA, USA.

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

We produce gluten-free artisan oatmeal blends and oat-flour pancake mixes. We source nothing but the cleanest ingredients possible. We have reimagined what's possible with oatmeal by using ingredients like organic acai, pure guava, and dragonfruit to create nutritious, delicious, and fun blends to deliver an entirely unique oatmeal experience for our customers. Our target customers are health conscious and mindful about nutrition, typically into fitness, young to mid-career or early families looking for clean but convenient food options.

Tell us about yourself

Alternative OATS has been the most fun I've had in my career in a long time. My wife and I still have our days jobs to support us through the initial stage of this journey, but all the long early morning, evening, and weekend hours spent on the oats biz don't feel much like work at all! The responses we get from customers and even a small but growing group we could consider fans is extremely fulfilling and motivates us to keep delivering a great product and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with oats!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We are quite proud of what we've achieved in the less than six months since we've launched. We have about eight retail locations beginning to perform well, have developed new products since launch.

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

The biggest challenge, particularly in our current supply chain environment, has been learning (still learning!) how to best walk the fine balancing a tight budget while securing inventory and raw material needs. You never know when business may really pop, so you want to be ready, but at the same time, you want to avoid overspending on a ton of stock that doesn't move. If someone has the secret, we'd love to hear it!

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

I would say before you commit, really understand your 'why' of doing this versus something else. It is really fun to get started, but it can get scary once you are financially committed to the idea. Secondly, you may not be able to jump into it full-time. In that early stage, just try to do at least one thing each day that improves the product, the brand, or the customer base. Lastly, find the people who embrace what you're doing early on - they will be a great support mechanism not only for sales but for you as a new business and owner - take great care of them, and don't forget them down the road!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Our recent times have seen a lot of entrepreneurial dreams shift into reality as people have re-evaluated their careers and lives during the pandemic. I think it is a great time to jump right in and take a shot at your idea, or at least get the ball rolling; you never know where it could take you!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://alternativeoats.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alternativeoats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alternativeoats/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alternative-oats/


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.

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