Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in healthy snack alternatives, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sucheta Khurana, the founder of Arise N' Go, a popped water Lily seed snack in Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
Arise N' Go offers a healthy snack alternative of Popped Water Lily Seeds. With this unique product we hope to diversify people's palettes and snack mindfully even when they are on the go! Popped water lily seeds, more popularly known as Phool Makhana or Fox Nuts in different parts of the world are ancient seeds that have been used in Ayurvedic medicine due to their immense medicinal properties. The seeds are packed with essential amino acids, are free of preservatives, saturated fats, and artificial sweeteners. The plant based protein snack offers 50% more protein than popcorn, and makes for a perfect snack during movie nights or long commutes.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
I started this business when I was in my third year of university. As a student, I always found myself trying to find snacks for long study sessions - something that was tasty, affordable, and healthy. It was tough finding good snack options that met all my needs and when I shared this frustration with my mom, she re-introduced me to a childhood snack that I grew up eating back in India. My grandmother used to prepare it for me, with natural spices like turmeric and Himalayan salt.
I began innovating a centuries-old ingredient from the culture of India to provide Canadians an opportunity to diversify their palates and think global but snack local (and healthy)! This is what motivates me every day, the mission to support individuals as they live a well-balanced lifestyle.
As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
My biggest accomplishment is taking actions to slowly bring an idea into reality. I started this business with my roommate, and we had no idea how the packaging would be, where we would make it, what flavours we wanted to make, and/or how we would sell this. All we knew was we are doing this.
We would stay up till 3 am in our small apartment kitchen to try different heat settings and flavour combinations to assure the best taste until we got it right. I remember walking around the university campus and approaching strangers to try our product and provide feedback on the taste and quality.
After our launch, we spent hours labeling every pouch and then spent 13 hours at our commercial kitchen to manufacture. I trusted myself, looked past the uncertainty, and pushed myself out of my comfort zone to bring this product to market and that will always be my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
You never get a break! When you're a business owner, the business is a part of you and it's really hard to detach yourself from that at times. When we launched, I was eating, and breathing Arise N' Go for 24 hours a day! I wouldn't move from the desk, and if I did move - I'd be in the commercial kitchen for 3 days straight.
I know, it doesn't sound fun or sustainable and it wasn't. I found, myself on the verge of burnout after a few months. Now, I have learned to find balance and take a break from taking care of the business to take care of myself. I schedule it in, it's important if you want to have a flourishing business!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
1. Don't let uncertainty slow you down. You're in charge, and as long as you work towards the goal, you will see an outcome eventually.
2. Remember, self-care = discipline. Start your day early and spend time on your growth/self-care, you'll feel more grounded when working throughout the day (I promise :)).
3. Have fun!!! The journey is the best part!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Remember to smile today! Also - here's a discount code for readers: Use code "LUCKYLILY" to save 15% off your entire purchase at our online store.
Where can people find you online?
https://ariseonthego.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/ariseonthego/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/ariseonthego/
https://twitter.com/ariseonthego?lang=en
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach 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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