Organic, Plant-based, Allergy-friendly Meals - All Clean Food
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Meemken, Founder of All Clean Food, LLC, located in Minnetonka, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
All Clean Food makes Organic, Plant-based, Allergy-friendly & Gluten-free pasta meals. Healthy, easy, and delicious. Our mission is to make eating well easier for ALL, including those with food allergies & sensitivities.
Tell us about yourself
When we found out our kids had allergies, we were shocked that there was not one easy, organic meal option that could help us out on a busy night. We were cooking everything from scratch and getting super burned out! As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I knew that my kids needed to eat well to feel well. So, I created a solution! Easy, healthy, delicious meals for ALL around the table.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Since launching two years ago, we are in over 900 retail locations and growing more and more online. I was honored to be awarded as a NEXTY Finalist for "Best New Pantry Food," be a MN Cup top 3 Finalist, and be nominated for a BOLD award. BUT...even more than all of this...I am very proud of the way I have balanced the emotional roller coaster of building a business AND my family life.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's hard that when things go wrong, it's pretty much always on you. Haha. I have learned to allow myself to be human and that when things go wrong, it is a valuable learning opportunity for growth, not a personal failure I need to wallow about ;-)
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Your health and mental health need to be a HUGE priority, more than ever before. Things will go wrong, and you need to be healthy enough to step back and problem-solve.
- Find incredible mentors and peers in business who are kind, smart, and, most importantly, with whom you can be vulnerable about professional and personal struggles.
- (One more) Start networking with investors right away. Meet people and update them quarterly (or so) on your successes (and perhaps learnings). For most businesses, there will be early needs for cash to support business growth. To my fellow female leaders - learn to talk BIGGER about your business and accomplishments. After all, you are doing amazing things! For me, this has taken practice and awareness.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I love to support other women in business! Feel free to reach out on linked in - @Laurameemken
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://allcleanfood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allcleanfoodforall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/all_cleanfood/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurameemken/
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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