Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrea Schwenk, CMO of Egglife Foods, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

By utilizing a patented technology for converting liquid egg to solid matter, Egglife Foods offers a line of wrap alternatives made from cage-free egg whites and just a few simple ingredients to reimagine carbohydrate and calorie-laden foods traditionally, creating better-for-you food solutions that a wide range of consumers can enjoy regardless of dietary needs and restrictions.

egglife® egg white wraps have become a simple, delicious, and nutritious solution for a range of consumers – whether they are simply looking for a better-for-you food alternative or have dietary restrictions that have previously kept them from enjoying a variety of foods. The versatility of Egglife's wraps allows consumers to reimagine and enjoy carb-laden foods like wraps, noodles, pizzas, sweet desserts like tiramisu, and so much more. Egglife has become a go-to ally to support consumers' diets and lifestyles, meeting needs for every relevant occasion and day part.

Our mission is to inspire better living by transforming the future of food through the joyful simplicity and unexpected power of the egg.

Tell us about yourself

Prior to joining Egglife Foods, I spent my career working on well-known food and alcohol beverage brands. While it was fun and exciting, I felt an urge to work for a company that stood for something more. I wanted to work with a brand that I would feel good about eating and also sharing with my family. There are a number of reasons Egglife is the right fit – not only for me personally but as a healthy alternative for the community it's built. What motivates me every day is the opportunity to continue building an authentic brand, one that genuinely cares about its customers and community.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Since joining the clean-eating industry, I have worked towards building an authentic category disruptor and leader brand, maintaining a loyal fanbase, and helping the brand break through the saturated better-for-you market. The most rewarding part of my role has been hearing our consumers share their stories of how egglife has been a game changer in their lives. The fact that so many people feel seen by our brand has been incredibly rewarding, particularly because, at surface level, these stories stem from a simple tortilla alternative.

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

When launching any new business, the trickiest part is defining your brand. An authentic brand should feel true to both your consumer base and your employees – and that was a task I really had to prioritize jumping into my position. Taking on a role that had not existed prior to me joining the company also felt like a lot of responsibility; however, I was able to combine my previous experience, values, and beliefs to help identify and understand who we should be targeting as egglife's consumer base and how to best relate to their needs.

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

  1. Listen to your consumers - solve their problems and delight them.
  2. Hire people that are smarter than you and get out of their way. Let them do the job you hired them to do.
  3. Identify core values that align with the company's mission, vision, and product or service. Those values, when truly authentic to a company, have the ability to attract and maintain a community-like employee and consumer base.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

At egglife, we place high importance on our ability to be personalized to our consumer base. From individuals with diabetes to those eating gluten-free or keto diets, we always ensure we are catering to their needs and wants within our own messaging and values. Our connections with those communities are what have helped us break through as a challenger brand.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.egglifefoods.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/egglifefoods
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/egglifefoods/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreabenz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaeschwenk/

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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