Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lourdes Gant, co-owner and Vice-President of Manatee Holdings Ltd., located in BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are into aquaculturing gourmet foods mostly for the sushi market, e.g., geoducks, oysters, etc. Our main clients are shellfish processors who want a steady source of supply. Billions of individuals do and will desire higher quality protein as a food source. But the earth is incapable of providing this with traditional livestock. A much more sustainable, scalable methodology is required.
Tell us about yourself
I met my husband in 2007, who started the aquaculture industry in British Columbia, Canada. My corporate background has helped him turn the business into a professional family organization. Our mandate is to create the most environmentally beneficial food production operation on land or sea anywhere in the world. By 2050, Earth’s population will be 9.7 billion. Demand for meat products is increasing. BUT impact from meat production practices devastates our planet. We need new ways to feed the next billion humans.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our business has been in Canada's Top Growing Company. Lourdes Gant has been one of the Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs. Satisfying the global demand for meat will accelerate deforestation and biodiversity loss, strain the global water supply, accelerate climate change, intensify inhumane treatment of animals, and worsen food safety and insecurity issues. This challenge alone gives us laser focus to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life below water.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The challenge is to stay abreast with changes that are either forecasted or not.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First tip: Self-mastery. If you want to start, run and grow a business today, this is the most important tip we can give. Second tip: Partnerships are important to take you to the next level. Think both wins. Third tip: Stewardship. Know your purpose.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://sustainableaquaculture.ca/podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sustainableaquaculturecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManateeHoldings
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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