Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mareya Ibrahim, Founder of Eat Cleaner, located in Irvine, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm the founder and co-inventor of Grow Green Industries. We created eatCleaner, an all-natural, patented line of food safety and shelf life extension products, and we also make products to cleanse your produce, seafood + poultry, and even your removable dental appliances. Our customers are everyone who eats food and uses a toothbrush!
Tell us about yourself
I'm Chef Mareya, also known as “The Fit Foodie,” a nationally recognized food safety and clean eating expert, an award-winning entrepreneur, television chef, author, and inventor. In 2006, my father, a professor emeritus in Environmental Scientist, was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer. The part that really unnerved me was that his doctors told him to avoid raw foods, including vegetables and leafy greens.
These are the very foods that help to build strength and immunity, but according to the CDC, there are 48 million reported cases of foodborne illness in just the US annually - and the number one cause is those leafy greens. As a chef and holistic nutrition coach, I knew the micronutrients, enzymes, and probiotics from fresh produce were essential to his recovery. All I could think was we needed to make these foods safer.
After my father's recovery, we got to work. It was critical that the products pass the test of science and that they wouldn't leave a smell or aftertaste. In 2010, eatCleaner® was officially born, and three years later, with the patent in hand, we began actively promoting our lab-proven products. We are dedicated to helping you enjoy cleaner, safer, longer-lasting fresh food – because everyone deserves to eat the foods intended for good health with peace of mind.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to get our patents and then sell our products internationally. It means so much to me that we did it with practically no funding and as a single mom of two kids under 5. You can do anything you set your mind to!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There is always something to do. But at a point, you have to step away from work and enjoy the life you've created. My family always comes first.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your market: really study the landscape and understand what the competition looks like.
- Create a strong point(s) of differentiation: setting yourself apart - not just on price - is key in a crowded market. This will inherently be part of your marketing.
- Make it personal: the story is always a critical part of your brand and how you convey it to others. Having a personal connection with your mission makes it so much more interesting to share with the world.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://eatcleaner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatcleaner
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/eatcleaner/
https://www.instagram.com/chefmareya/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mareyaibrahim/
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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