Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Prabal Chaudhri, Founder and President of Brave Good Kind, located in Boston, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At BRAVE GOOD KIND (BGK), we make all-natural, gluten-free, high-protein snacks that are easy to eat & deliciously tender. Made with real, wholesome ingredients like antibiotic-free chicken, sea salt, and spices, BGK chicken bites & bars give your body a lasting boost to accomplish all that you need to do – without spikes, dips, or crashes. Our Tender Chicken Bites and Bars contain no MSG or added nitrates and come in three succulent flavors – Original, Teriyaki, and Hot Honey. Brave Good Kind was born to elevate the stagnant jerky category, which, until BGK, was made from beef, was hard to chew, and primarily focused on men. Brave Good Kind was created to give women and kids a tenderly delicious, healthy snacking option made from more sustainable & leaner protein (chicken).
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in a small town in India where my parents instilled the value of hard work, a 'never-give-up' attitude, and education at an early stage. I am an extrovert and have always found fulfillment in taking risks and doing things out of my comfort zone. After completing my undergrad in engineering, I opted to pursue sales and marketing, where I learned the fundamentals of running a business and brand building. I was also fascinated with the power of storytelling, where brands could define their purpose and inspire people to live their best lives. After my MBA from Northwestern and working with companies such as P&G, I decided to pursue my own entrepreneurial path.
When my daughter was born, I became really curious about the food that we eat. After learning about food systems, the impacts of climate change on production, and the growing world population, I realized that the food system was broken and needed a fundamental change in its structure. I wanted to contribute to that change so that future generations can live healthier lives. That's how the idea of K2 Ventures came to be. When I looked at the snack grocery aisle, I saw options that were full of carbs and sugars. As consumers, we are often forced to compromise between taste and nutrition. As I embarked on a journey to dig deeper, I heard from women and their families about the unmet need for a tenderly delicious snack without sugary spikes of energy from guilt-inducing ingredients. That's why we created Brave Good Kind's first product line: the Tender Chicken Bites & Bars.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been building a startup in the middle of the pandemic and successfully launching it in 2021. Being an entrepreneur is challenging, but doing it with the uncertainty of COVID-19 was brutal. Whether it was supply chain, hiring, or raising capital, every aspect of business fundamentals was more complex. In spite of that, I was able to stick to my vision, remain consistent with my process, and launch a consumer-loved brand that gained national distribution (>5000 stores) in less than two years.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Ambiguity, risk, and constant pressure are the hardest things that an entrepreneur has to deal with. More often than not, things are out of one's control, and one must learn to handle them with resilience and positivity. These things have a direct impact on your and your family's mental & financial well-being.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your core consumer & their needs.
- Build a product that fulfills their needs in a way no one can.
- Validate the product, market fit, and proposition. Don't be afraid to pivot and take risks.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://chickenbites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bravegoodkind/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravegoodkind/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bravegoodkind
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave-good-kind/
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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