Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Brandow, Co-Founder of VitaBowl, located in Los Angeles, California, United States.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Designed to be deliciously nutritious and accessible to all, VitaBowls are crafted by USA’s first female 3 Michelin Star Chef Dominique Crenn and globally trained nutritionist Sarah Brandow, MSc.
Each of VitaBowl’s healthful and flavorful meals is mindfully prepared with the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, and an exotic blend of spices. All of VitaBowl’s product offerings have been scientifically designed to provide nutritional benefits to the body and at a cellular level. With various cuisine varieties, VitaBowl aims to mitigate the nationwide crises of health diseases and end non-nutritional food apartheids by fostering resilient bodies' development through wholesome, nutrient-dense meals.
Tell us about yourself
I became highly interested in nutrition nearly 12 years ago. I changed my diet drastically as a university student by omitting animal products and consuming a diet comprised of fresh, whole plant foods. The benefits were incredible. I had more energy, better focus, my grades improved massively, I had better sleep and better workouts.
I realized how absolutely life-changing it is to improve one's health, and I sought to truly understand the science behind what had changed for me and help others do the same. I now hold a Masters of Science degree and am a practicing Nutritionist, and I get to apply this knowledge and passion when creating meals for VitaBowl. I know that accessibility and convenience can be a major barrier for individuals who want to improve their health, so our mission is to create meals that are both very nutrient-dense and delicious while still at an accessible price point.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When our food began being served in hospital cafeterias in Los Angeles, I felt as though that was our biggest accomplishment as a company and also a huge personal goal of mine.
Having access to health-promoting foods is extremely important for healthcare providers as well as hospital patients who are in recovery. The research is clear - our bodies heal and adapt better when we consume an anti-inflammatory diet. I am so proud to say that VitaBowl is able to provide that to a growing number of healthcare facilities in greater Los Angeles.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Some of the main challenges we faced as a company was largely related to scaling, as different accounts sometimes had vastly different needs related to packaging, deliveries, and storage. Like all startups, we have had our share of growing pains, but we are always adapting and looking at new and innovative solutions to meet the needs of our various corporate clients without ever compromising the integrity of our products.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you are passionate about what you are doing because that will get you through even the most difficult challenges. Have a clear 'why' and stay focused on it.
- Work with those who have the same drive, passion, and values as you do. Hire wisely and diversely, and offer ownership. This will help ensure the long-term success of the company and healthy company culture.
- Make sure your ideas are market-tested, and there is a need for your product. See how you can fill a gap in the market or provide a product or service in a better way than what is currently out there. Focus on gaining a foothold in a smaller market to start. Find your niche and focus on it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://vitabowl.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitabowl/
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.
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