Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shaun Vasquez, owner of Pride Foods, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are bridging the gap between functional food for performance and taste/quality. CARBS is our business. From toddlers to top athletes, everyone eats carbs. Whether it be for pleasure or performance. And we have set out to make products that are great for those two groups and everything in between. Our first product to market was Rice'N Grinds Hot Rice Cereal, or some of you may know it as Cream of Rice. We have eight delicious flavors in small and family-sized options (12 & 30 serving). With more on the way! 2.5 years ago, we set the bar extremely high, launching the first and only flavored & organic hot rice cereal. And recently, we have done it again with the world's first savory flavor! TACO! Currently, we are heavily involved in fitness, conscious eating, and functional space. But our market is growing daily!
Tell us about yourself
I never knew I really wanted to be an entrepreneur. Honestly, I did not really know what that even meant. I just knew I liked being in charge of my schedule, the freedom, and the ability to go all-in on myself. It was an interesting chain of events that led me to find a gap in the market for our product, and I've been trying to keep up ever since. Motivation I find fleeting. It comes and goes with the seasons at times. I find more progress in consistency. We are all human with very real human shortcomings. I find that if I am consistent in my actions when the motivation is absent. We are still making the necessary progress. But if I had to give one thing for motivation. It would be my family.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Doing everything I have and accomplishing what I have on my own. I have a trusted mentor and a few friends that help with technical things. But outside of that, it's been trial and error. Yet still forging progress.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
No off switch. Once it's turned on, you are chasing progress. It is very difficult to turn it off. I believe that is a learned trait the longer you are in business. And the wiser you become.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Set small goals to aim towards. Just look down and take one step at a time. You don't need to know what mile 10 looks like. You just need the first step. Launch.
- It's only a failure if you fail to take the feedback. You will have mishaps, mistakes, and misfortunes. Take the lessons, learn from them. And learn to manage your response to the situation as that ultimately dictates the outcome of the situation.
- Treat people with dignity and respect. Of course, your customers. That is a given. But if you aim to grow your company. Make sure you extend those sentiments to your employees as that will create an environment that will flourish or flop.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you are anything like me. Don’t listen to the lies you tell yourself. Keep working towards your goals and dreams. Blaze the trails and make way for others alike to chase their dreams.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pridefoods.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrideFoods
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepridefoods/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pride-foods/
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.