Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gina Bozok, Founder of Foodie For Health, located in Coomera, Queensland, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We help busy people to increase their energy levels and productivity with low-sugar, free-from-natural snacks without sacrificing taste.
Tell us about yourself
I moved to the UK from Hungary when I was 20, and I mostly worked in a fast-paced hospitality environment. I worked 60 hours a week not just for money but to prove that I deserve more and be able to progress within the company. Then I realized that I didn't belong in that environment, so I tried myself out in recruitment, where I seemed to come across the same obstacles.
In the meantime, I lost both of my grandparents due to lung cancer in 2016. That made me realize if I continue living an unhealthy lifestyle and working for companies where I don't belong, I'll end up dying exactly the same way as they did.
So I started my lifestyle transformation physically first then I thought I had to share this with other people somehow. As I have loved baking since I was a child - thanks, grandma :) - sharing a nourishing snack with the world is the best way to move forward.
My vision for Foodie For Health is to educate our community about the understanding of nutrition information and for them to be able to opt for low-sugar, high-protein, natural snacks without sacrificing taste.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When I was looking for a manufacturer for my snack bars, the UK was finalizing Brexit, and I didn't feel like I could deal with all that complexity on top of creating a brand from scratch. So, I've started looking for a manufacturer in Australia which is suitable for my vision, and luckily I found one. Now, here I am in Australia, super thankful to my friends who have been supporting me on this journey since day 1.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I wouldn't use the word 'hardest' but 'the most challenging. Words have power, and as I am a solo entrepreneur, I really need to be on top of the language I use. With that being said, the mental pressure that comes with working alone is the most challenging part of being a business owner. Making sure that I make the right decisions on a daily basis and being okay with things not going in the direction I wanted them to. This is my first ever business, so I constantly make mistakes, and I have to accept the fact that it's a learning curve that eventually turns into a beautiful experience.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with other business owners who have potentially done the same business as you want to have. Network and do your research on the field you want to get in.
- Get yourself a business mentor.
- Face your own reality! It's great to learn from other people and listen to them. But you have to be real with your own resources! You may not have the same background, connections, or money as other start-ups do, so you have to pivot based on what you have.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm not one of those people who have seen success from family members in my early childhood years. It's challenging to believe in myself every day that I can pull this off and I can create something amazing. I have to remind myself of this every day, believe in it, and keep working. So if anyone's reading this who can resonate, just keep going! Especially if you're building something out of passion. If I could find a manufacturer on the other side of the world and have a product created, then surely nothing can stop you either!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://foodieforhealth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodieforhealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodieforhealth_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-georgina-bozok-303840131/
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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