Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Unoma Okorafor, Founder of Herbal Goodness, located in McKinney, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Herbal Goodness is a health and wellness company that manufactures premium quality, organic super fruit and food ingredients, including herbal teas, nutraceuticals, smoothie powders, liquid extracts, supplements, and energy bars. Herbal Goodness is for every age group passionate about healthy living and wellness. We have products that range from the kids' line to health support for the elderly.

Tell us about yourself

Herbal Goodness was born in 2013 when I was pregnant. Being raised eating fresh organic papayas daily just off the trees in my native country, Nigeria, I was surprised to discover the radical differences in taste and nutritional content between the wild-grown organic Papaya I grew up with and the GMO papaya varieties abundant in stores in the U.S.A. This was when I decided to source and provide the best quality products, starting with Papaya and, over the years, expanding into other unique nutrient-dense superfoods.

What I do is driven mainly by Impact. I strongly desire to impact my community's health and well-being and make an impact on social good. I am a firm believer in leaving a mark and having an effect. I am glad to say that I have been hitting that mark in both the wellness sector with Herbal Goodness and the education sector with the WAAW foundation (10% of our profit goes to the education of the Girl-child in STEM courses in Africa through the WAAW foundation).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Looking back and seeing all the people I, as a leader, and manager, have mentored, coached, and supported to grow and thrive in their own space. Building a team for Herbal Goodness has enabled me to work with and invest in women, especially women of color, to grow their confidence, skillset, leadership, and managerial skills. As a 100% women-owned business, one of our goals is to support and empower other women in all areas - helping them grow to their fullest potential. Over the years, some women I have mentored and worked with at Herbal Goodness have started their businesses, some have taken on more prominent roles in their careers, and some have decided to further their education to the highest academic levels. Seeing these women and even more to come, being better, and excelling with boldness at whatever they aspired towards is my most significant accomplishment as a business owner.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is dealing with the unknowns. Each day brings new challenges and obstacles to deal with. Business is never predictable, no matter how prepared you are. You'll never be 100% ready, but you can be close to it if you get into the right mindset to tackle challenges and find solutions.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Never forget your "WHY." Constantly reminding yourself of why you started your business journey in the first place will keep you motivated on tough days, grounded on the days when everyone seems to be chasing trends, and also help you track your growth rate and direction - how much you have been able to accomplish in a particular time.
  2. Hire a team as passionate about your vision as you. A team that understands and embodies your core values and vision goes a long way for business growth and success.
  3. Start where you are. Herbal Goodness started with a hastily put-together website and three orders. But believing in the vision and consistency to see it happen kept the fire burning. Just start and don't quit, and see the wonders you'll pull off.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.herbalgoodnessco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerbalGoodness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbalgoodnessco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/herbal_goodness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/herbal-goodness/

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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