Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nataliya Krylova, CEO of Casleo Corporation, located in Columbus, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Global Meals provides home-delivered meals to seniors and adults with disabilities throughout Ohio's 88 counties and is funded by Medicaid / MyCare Ohio, DODD, and city levy programs. We currently serve over 13,000 customers across Ohio and parts of Indiana.
We understand the importance of remaining independent and home-delivered meals can play a role in someone's life. With nutritious, delicious meals from around the world, we aim to help our consumers achieve healthy, independent lifestyles. Whether recovering from an illness or hospitalization, managing a chronic disease, or enjoying a more independent lifestyle, our home meal delivery service is the perfect solution.
Our frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable meals include a variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, deli cafés, soups, specialty weeks, and ethnic meals such as Eastern European, Asian, and Latino. Our menu can be customized to meet the religious preferences of our consumers. In addition to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-restricted meals, we also offer sodium-controlled, diabetic-friendly, and Kosher meals.
Tell us about yourself
In July 2011, I joined Global Meals, a company founded by Olga Slivnyak in 2006.
As soon as I met Olga and Leonid, they temporarily relocated to Miami, Florida. Within a couple of months, the move became permanent. The following year, I accepted the CEO position and took full responsibility for the company's daily operations.
When I started, we had approximately 2,058 consumers, most of whom were immigrants from the Soviet Union. As of 2022, we have more than 13,000 consumers in Ohio and Indiana. Providing nutritious, delicious meals for our customers is one of our most significant accomplishments.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We have continued providing excellent service during challenging times while promoting and developing our employees.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Over the past three years, dealing with unknowing has been the most challenging part. Since 2011, our reimbursement rate per meal has increased by 3%, while living expenses have increased by a little over 31%.
In my role as CEO, even if I am sick, I must answer phone calls and resolve problems. However, it's also critical to learn how to unplug and unwind.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Develop a strong vision.
- Analyze your competitors and do your research.
- Be ready to take risks and make sacrifices.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://globalmeals.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalMeals
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliya-krylova-8167b075/
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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