Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Parker Olson, founder and CEO of Forij, located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Forij crafts anti-inflammatory granolas that deliver natural energy, mental focus & delicious flavor. We combine functional mushroom supplement powders with 100% whole food ingredients to deliver both flavor and function!
We want to help the people that jam-pack their life full of work, family, and hobbies. The ones who are at risk of burnout and need something that will seamlessly help them get more done and feel 100% every day.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Parker, and I am the proud founder of Fôrij (pronounced 'forage')!
My health journey started when I spent 18 months experimenting with different diets. Initially, for fun, this "experiment" changed the way I look at life. Typically after 14 - 17 days on a new diet, I would see serious changes in sleep, mood & energy. I discovered the incredible power of eating a consistent diet of whole food ingredients. I was amazed at the added benefits that functional mushrooms can have with normal supplementation. My mood, energy, and overall quality of life were best when I was dieting with these things.
I got curious, so I started to do some research and found some striking facts. Both functional mushrooms & a whole food diet aid in reducing one's chronic inflammation - something linked to nearly all health ailments from depression & brain fog to aches and pains. One of the primary reasons I created Forij was to help get whole food ingredients & functional mushrooms into millions of people's diets and, hopefully, genuinely improve others' quality of life.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting highlighted as a top healthy brand from serious authorities such as Good Housekeeping Magazine & Clean Eats.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The ability to stay focused and productive every day in light of being completely overwhelmed constantly.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Just start. Take one step. Write down what you're going to do, schedule it and get it done. Then, and only then. Determine what to do next.
Have blind faith. I metaphor, I often relate to is participating in a race completely blind. You have to have faith that you're going to make it, even when things get really scary, and the outlook looks grim.
Take care of yourself. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. As the founder, you are the most important asset, and if you don't take care of yourself, you will crash, burn or just make flat-out bad decisions.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you're not familiar with functional mushrooms and their incredible health capabilities of them, for your own sake, check them out! They are some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory remedies on earth!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.forij.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Forij.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forij.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🍄-parker-olson-1a080ba8/
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.