Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leeanna Gantt, CEO of tooktake, located in Pasadena, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called tooktake. Tooktake is a super simple reminder label that you stick on anything you need to take or use to get and stay well. It gives you a simple way to know if you took or still need to take something. My customers are people of ALL ages who have a wellness routine they are trying to stick to. We are especially loved by busy parents because we are the only tracking system that works on all those liquid kids' meds!
Tell us about yourself
I invented tooktake labels while I was in treatment for breast cancer. I had tons of different medications in all different forms that I needed to keep track of to manage the side effects of treatment. It became very stressful for my family and me when we didn't know if I had already taken or used something or not; that's when I started to make a little system to help up take a little stress out of the situation. By the time I was done with treatment, I had a pretty good little system, and I was still using it to keep track of the one medication I still needed to take.
I figured that I couldn't be the only one who was looking at my pill bottle every morning and wondering if I had taken or still needed to take it! It turns out I was right, and there are tons and tons of people of all ages that have things they need to remember to take or use to get and stay well, everything from a simple multivitamin or protein powder to things for chronic conditions like allergies and thyroid issues. What motivates me every day is simple, I know that tooktake is helping people get and stay well, which is a great feeling.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think my biggest accomplishment as a business owner so far is getting a patent on the product. Designing it was one thing, but getting the patent was a really big thing to get done.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Since I hadn't had a product-based business before and had to work with retailers, it's been a big learning curve. So I'd say that has been the hardest thing to learn quickly.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make a prototype and get feedback from friends and family and even some people you don't know, and really listen to their comments and questions before you manufacture thousands of them.
- If there seems to be interest in the product or service you are offering, start small. Once again, unless you have a lot of money and space to store things, start small. It will be more expensive for the first few runs, but you will learn a lot from making and selling them and might want to fine-tune things. That is much easier to do if you don't have thousands of them to sell first.
- Join a few different communities with other founders and ask lots of questions. I have learned so much and avoided some big mistakes by talking with other inventors and listening to their stories.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://tooktake.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellotooktake
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tooktake/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tooktake-llc/
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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