Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in healthy snack alternatives, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dan Johnstone, the co-founder of Bridgepeak Nutrition Inc.
Tell us all about your business...
We make healthy chocolate snacks that taste absolutely amazing. We designed it with registered nutritionists to be low in sugar, high in protein, fiber, and low glycemic. It's made from 70% dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and sprouted prebiotic grains that help with gut health. Our ideal customer is anyone who loves chocolate but wants to eat healthier.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
My partner and I are long-term CPG veterans. We started the business because our families were affected by Diabetes, which is, unfortunately, one of the fastest-growing health concerns in North America. And it is closely linked with poor eating habits. Sugar is one of the main culprits.
Our big "AHA" was that while there are many options for gluten-free snacks, it was hard to find great-tasting, natural snacks designed for people who wanted to reduce their sugar intake and keep their blood sugar steady. So we worked with experts and gourmet chocolatiers to build something really unique. A portion of our proceeds goes to support research at Diabetes Canada.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting onto the shelf at some major retailers: Longos, Sobeys, Farm Boy, Hudson's Bay. It's pretty exciting and great to hear friends, family, and strangers reaching out and telling us that they saw our product on the shelves and how much they love it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
Where do I start? Honestly, the hardest part is execution. Having a great idea is hard enough, but it's only the start. Being in CPG is expensive and time-consuming, and the rewards, while sweet, take a long time to see.
As a small business owner, you have to be ready to play every part - R&D, package design, sourcing ingredients, manufacturing, shipping, getting a distributor, managing the distributor, managing brokers, managing the financials.
What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be prepared to dedicate yourself to the business. It's complicated, and it needs a lot of TLC.
- Give yourself time. There are no overnight successes. It takes time to understand your best customer, your best way to reach them, your best financial model.
- Make sure you have solid financials and great partners.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Be really honest with yourself when you're starting a business and make sure this is the right idea for you. It's a lot of fun, but it's not easy! Whatever you think it will cost, double it.
What profits do you think you'll make? Half it. How long will it take? Double it. I wish you all the best! You'll need it :-)
Where can people find you online?
Website: https://bridgepeaknutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgepeaknutrition/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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