Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Krik Angacian, Co-Founder and CEO of CandyCan, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm Krik, co-Founder and CEO of CandyCan. We make premium functional keto candy! In my past life, I was an investment banker covering the food space; after a few years of buying and selling other people's companies, I decided to start my own. About seven years ago, I started the world's first protein chip and popcorn company. We built that business up and were distributed to over 12,000 retail stores nationwide as well as ten countries globally. We've since moved on from that company, but my business partner and I decided to team up again and create the world's first snackable gummy vitamin.
Our gummy snacks are low in sugar, and keto, have no sugar alcohols, are plant-based, taste great, and all provide efficacious dosing for functionality. We currently have both a SLEEP, FOCUS, and IMMUNITY line of gummy snacks. The concept for this company came about while I was munching on another brand's gummy vitamins. I was eating them like candy and, of course, overdoing it. We realized right then and there that other consumers must be overeating these delicious functional sweets, and if we were to snackify the gummies in a clean label healthy format (most vitamin gummies have a ton of sugar and use gelatin), then we'd be on to something.
Tell us about yourself
In my past life, I was an investment banker covering the food space. After several years of M&A, I decided to start my own food company. My goal with all the brands I build is to create healthy, functional value for my customers in convenient, delicious formats. Ensuring everyone lives a healthier and fitter lifestyle is what truly drives me every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We built this brand all through 2020 during the height of COVID. To even further add difficulty to launching, my business partner was diagnosed with cancer during this time. While undergoing chemotherapy, we did all the work to ensure this brand would be successful, and I'm proud to say not only is the company doing great, but also my business partner is cancer free!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The uncertainty of every day for sure. No one tells you what you're going to come across in a given day or week, and you have to be ready for all potential happenings.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Make sure you find mentors in your space; they can prove to be invaluable. Try to remain as level-headed as possible, never get too high and never get too low (easier said than done). Lastly, just have fun with it. I see too many entrepreneurs constantly crushed under the pressure of it all, but honestly, life is too short not to enjoy the ride!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://eatcandycan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EatCandyCan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatcandycan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krik-d-angacian-aa31771a/
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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