Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jillian Tedesco, Founder of Fit-Flavors, located in St. Louis, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Fit-flavors makes nutritionally balanced, ready-to-eat meals that are both high-quality and chef-level. All of our meals are designed by a team of chefs and registered dietitians to contain a healthy balance of macronutrients without sacrificing flavor. We're proud to use lean, antibiotic, and hormone-free proteins, slow digesting carbohydrates, and heart-healthy fats. We source our ingredients from local suppliers whenever possible. No prep, cooking, or clean-up. All meals come fresh and fully cooked. Keep refrigerated; heat when ready. We serve health-conscious, busy people! Our elevator speech is we make healthy meals for busy, health-conscious people.
By providing quality nutritional products, we save people time and improve their health. We transform people's nutritional beliefs and narratives around food, so they are confident and empowered to make educated decisions that serve their goals. We are trailblazers in our space and challenge the status quo of the health and food industries. It's our mission to be your first resource in healthy eating.
Tell us about yourself
It was all about making people's lives easier and healthier. As a trainer, I constantly heard from everyone that they wanted to eat better but didn't have the time to do it. So I decided to come up with a solution…produce portion-controlled, healthy meals to go that were ready to heat and eat anywhere.
The gym and working out are only part of the equation. The bigger piece of the puzzle is your diet and the foods you put into your body. If you really want to improve your health, lose weight or gain muscle…it all starts in the kitchen. Fitness and healthy eating have been passions of mine for as long as I can remember. I have 10+ years of personal training and nutrition experience, as well as a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute. In September 2009, I formed fit-flavors.
We began producing healthy, all-natural, pre-cooked/packaged meals that are portion controlled and ready to heat and eat. It started with cooking for a handful of clients I was personal training…mostly as a favor to them because they did not have the time, knowledge, or care to cook. What I quickly found was that these clients were losing weight, gaining muscle, training harder, and just felt better overall while eating the food I was preparing.
The rest is history. It's now our goal here at fit-flavors to make the world healthier…one person, one meal at a time. Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle, improve your health, or just crunched for time and looking to keep a few healthy meals in your fridge… fit-flavors have a solution for you!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a team that loves this company as much as I do! Also, I wrote a book called Owning the Wait that ties in my personal beliefs to the "why" behind my business. I feel like this book is what's been locked inside my brain for years and years. I'm so proud of myself for not only being able to articulate it enough to write a book but for being brave enough to share it with the world.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing stress and paving the way for people to have really fulfilling and growing careers.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Put in the work. There is no shortcut. Don't listen to the bull shit that says you can manifest success. That's not how it works. You work HARD, and working HARD feels good when and only when you have an unlimited tank of passion dueling you.
- Communicate openly with your family. Your spouse, the people who help you with your kids, etc. These are the people you love, but they will never fully understand what you are going through on a day-to-day basis. That's okay. You're wired differently, but ultimately this life is meant to be lived in a relationship, and love is more important than anything. Learn how to communicate, especially with your partner, in a way that is productive and not fire-fueled. Also, make time for them.
- Pursue innovation and embrace change for growth. This is actually one of the Fit-flavors' core values because it is so important. If you're not pursuing innovation, your competitors are. If you don't embrace change, you will not grow. Point blank.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I am a God-fearing woman. A Christian business owner. There aren't enough of us speaking out, so I'd love to make sure the article knows I'm a Christian woman who has been saved and born again by Jesus Christ. Quiet time with the Lord is a daily must for me. It's my lifeblood; God's word is my true source. All my power comes from Him, not from me.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://fit-flavors.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitflavorsbyjillian
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fit_flavors_stl/
https://www.instagram.com/jilliantedesco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fit_flavors
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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