Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Trish Thomas, co-founder, and CEO of Every Body Eat®, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

Every Body Eat® is a family-based company whose purpose is to bring people together through a shared love of delicious food, regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences. The company develops and manufactures plant-based products that contain zero traces of the 14 ingredients that are associated with 90% of food allergies and intolerances, as well as corn and sugar. With an emphasis on "everybody" having a seat at the table, these snacks provide:

  • A sense of belonging no matter your unique dietary needs.
  • Helping to foster inclusivity and eliminate feelings of isolation.
  • Guilt.
  • Shame for those experiencing food sensitivities.

Tell us about yourself

Both of us [Co-founders Nichole Wilson and Trish Thomas] have first-hand experience either personally dealing with or caring for a family diagnosed with autoimmune disorders and severe food allergies. We both had an understanding that diet-related challenges are not the only obstacles that come with severe food allergies – there are also negative social, emotional, financial, and physical elements. In an effort to overcome those challenges, we partnered up with the purpose of developing both a flavorful and inclusive snacking experience for all.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We officially launched Every Body Eat® on March 1, 2020, but COVID had other plans. Within a couple of weeks of launching, we had to close our facilities and move nearly one thousand cases of product into Trish's living room. We were faced with the unpredictable but remained resilient to protect our people, product, and place in the market, creating a makeshift warehouse out of the living room to fulfill nearly 1,000 cases of the product via brick-and-mortar and DTC. Today, Every Body Eat® is available in over 1,400 retailers across the U.S., including our recent launch nationally with Whole Foods, while sales continue to thrive on Amazon and DTC.

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

That you never take a minute off. Your business becomes both your passion and your responsibility. You can take time off from being in the office, but it is really hard to take time off with your mind. This is a double-edged sword: you think about it so much because you love it and see all the possibilities, but it is also hard to manage being a business owner and being a mom, a good friend, etc. It is all about finding a strong balance.

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

  1. Have total passion for your business. Starting and running a business can be incredibly fulfilling, but it is also very hard and unpredictable. A deeply-felt passion will carry you through the hard times and the periods of self-doubt....and will lead you to make the right decisions at the most critical times.
  2. Ask yourself, "does the world really need my product/service?" and only proceed if you believe the answer is yes. It is far too competitive an environment, and consumers are too smart for "me-too" products that don't have unique benefit(s) and truly make a difference in consumers' lives.
  3. Surround yourself with the right team that is not only talented but shares your values. You can't do it all yourself and having a team with shared values is the best path to nimble and accurate decision-making.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is at the core of our mission: ensuring everybody has a seat at the table. In the last year, our focus has not only been on developing clean, delicious products that are inclusive for all – but also on extending workforce opportunities for diverse populations. Our equitable vision has become a reality, with 60% of our team being women and 80% people of color. Through Nichole's connection to the non-profit Chicago CRED, we've been able to offer workforce development opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, providing a second chance for many through employment and mentorship.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://everybodyeating.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everybodyeateverywhere
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybody_eating/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/every-body-eat/

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.