Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christian Goehring, Co-Founder of Häppy Candy with locations in Germany and USA.

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

Häppy Candy is a female-founded, German, innovative food start-up expanding to the US right now. Häppy Candy are delicious, high-quality, vegan better-for-you gummies that are high in fiber, low in sugar, and low in calories. Our candy is free from allergens, gluten, and palm oil only uses natural flavors and colors, and is non-GMO. Our customers are people like you and me, people from all ages and walks of life - typically; our customers are looking for a healthy alternative to traditional snack options which help them to get their daily recommended dose of fiber with no glucose spikes or sacrifice in taste and feeling of guilt.

Tell us about yourself

I'm one of the co-founders of Häppy Candy. I joined our business in September 2022 after Maxi, founder of Häppy Candy, asked me if I would like to work on something big by bringing Häppy Candy to the US. As I have a sweet tooth and crave for healthy alternatives to traditional snack options, Maxi did not need a lot of convincing. I'm originally from Germany and moved for work to New York City end of 2017. Luckily, my employer pushed me over the pond to the Big Apple. :) Our idea was to come up with a better-for-you candy that comes with health benefits and that you can indulge in as if you were a kid again. As more and more people globally struggle to obtain their daily recommended minimum dose of fiber which can have a negative impact on their health, they are looking for better options. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, more than 90 percent of women and 97 percent of men do not meet recommended intakes for dietary fiber, which can lead to high blood sugar, Diabetes Type II, constipation, feeling unwell, and other health issues.

I've been with Häppy Candy for a little over six months now, and I'm more motivated than ever. My motivation is based on two main facts:

  1. Our customers – they love our product and are positively surprised by how delicious and healthy a snack option can be. More than 4 out of 5 customers would recommend us to their family and friends.
  2. Our team – our Häppy Candy team is full of dedication, passion, and ideas. We just started but already work on new product ideas on how to make the candy industry healthier with no sacrifices in taste and/or feeling of guilt.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would like to compare Häppy Candy to Little Nemo, who finds himself in a big and very competitive ocean, essentially the candy market. Receiving consistently positive and encouraging feedback about our idea, brand, and story from industry companions in this large "sea of candy ideas and products" at this early stage of business, I would say that this is a big accomplishment.

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

Despite all the amazing feedback we get, and although I'm motivated more than ever, you have these days when you doubt if it is the right idea because something is not going in the direction as you want. In these situations, it is important to tell yourself that you do not give up and convince yourself that you and your team are on track.

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

  1. Help: Ask for help when you need it – you'll be surprised by how cooperative people are.
  2. Network & Advice: Mingle with your peers, exchange ideas and thoughts, and don't hold back to give or refuse advice. Other industry peers have gone through similar situations, and we can only learn from each other.
  3. Patience and Persistence: Rome was not built in a day. Every business started small and slow. It will all comes together over time.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://haeppycandy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haeppy.candy/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haeppy.candy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haeppy-candy/

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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