Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brad Cocklin, owner and founder of Chunk Nibbles, located in Troy, MI.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We craft a line of treats based off my Grandma's third generation family recipe called Chunk Nibbles. They are a blend of dry, salty ingredients bound together with a light coating to form a delicate but ADDICTING combination of Salty & Sweet! Our customers are people who enjoy an indulgent treat but don't want to sacrifice on flavor! We use real & recognizable ingredients and craft it with the same love you'd expect out of my Grandma's kitchen. Our flavors now include The Original, Peanut Butter Chocolate, S'Mores, Strawberry, and a holiday Peppermint.
Tell us about yourself
I started the company in 2018 after putting in my resignation at my commercial insurance brokerage firm. I relocated back to Michigan with my then girlfriend, now wife, and cashed in my 401k to fund the business. I sold my car and bought a Ford Transit van to begin hauling around ingredients and running deliveries. I am motivated by the challenge of running a successful business. We have had our fair share of obstacles including Covid shut downs and supply chain nightmares.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is building a self-funded business that now employees 10 individuals from the local area. We also have our charity partner, Blue Star Service Dogs, that have been such a positive force to our brand. We donate a portion of every unit sold to help fund their mission of rescuing dogs from high kill animal shelters and train them for Military Combat Veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI as service, emotional, or therapy dogs. Being able to donate a portion of our sales to these heroes is an amazing feeling.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The constant pressure of knowing the buck stops with you. Being a business owner may seem glamorous from the outside; but there is mounting pressure that looms over your head 24/7. It doesn't turn off at the end of the day or the weekends.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Make connections. The bigger your network; the better amount of resources you have. It helps having people, within your industry, that you can rely on to answer questions that will inevitably pop up.
2. Be humble. No one likes a know it all.
3. You are the only person who will build your dream. Work at it like someone is trying to take it from you everyday.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/chunk-nibbles
https://www.facebook.com/Chunknibbless/
https://www.instagram.com/chunknibbles/
https://twitter.com/chunknibbles
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.
