Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Travis Bettinson, Director of Research and Development of Blue Dot Kitchen SPC, located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Blue Dot Kitchen brings seaweed, a zero-input superfood, to the people in irresistibly tasty organic foods. Anyone who wants to snack more sustainably and more nutritiously is our customer.
Tell us about yourself
I have spent my whole life in the food industry, always with an eye on sustainability. I worked my way from prep cook - all the way to owning my own private chef & catering service. As I grew professionally and personally, I knew I wanted to make a larger impact on our food system than I could as a private chef & caterer. While researching ways to be more impactful, I fell in love with kelp as a food system. This zero-input crop is incredibly nutritious and supports the fast-growing U.S. sea farming economy. That's when I knew my purpose was to help bring sea greens to the U.S. food system by creating delicious and approachable ways to eat kelp. Every day I wake up and think - how can I help get U.S. consumers to eat kelp in their everyday diet?
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
So much of a businesses impact is determined early in its life. Blue Dot Kitchen is young, but our model primes us to have a large and positive impact on the food system. Customers see that and are excited about us, which gives me an immense sense of accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about owning a business is having the mental flexibility to hold the broad vision of your company and the small spreadsheet-level details of your company in your mind at the same time. It's incredibly important to do both and sometimes requires you to intentionally take a step back and reassess how your time is best used for the moment you are in.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find the right partners to help you execute your vision - your networks are one of the most valuable assets you have.
- If you need significant investment to start your business,
learn how to pitch and fundraise before you get too far along in your startup. - Be realistic about how much time you can work and plan within those limits - whatever they may be. Everyone has limits - and if you burn out on your own business, you're going to hate your work.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.seacharrones.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seacharrones/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seacharrones/
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.