Empower the Do-ers - IQBAR
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Will Nitze, founder, and CEO of IQBAR, located in Boston, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We're the #1 "Brain + Body" nutrition company in America! Our IQBAR plant protein bars and IQMIX hydration packs are clean-label, diet-friendly, and delicious.
Our customers are doers, creators, and get-stuff-doners. Whether you need sustained energy to power through work or clean protein to win in the gym, we've got you covered!
Tell us about yourself
I'm a functional foodie obsessed with optimizing my diet. I started IQBAR because I couldn't find any low-carb, plant-based "brain food" on the market. Simple as that!
I believe making the world a better place has to be inherent to the product or service you sell. Volunteering, giving to charity, and other corporate-social responsibility initiatives are all great, but they pale in comparison to the impact you can have if what you sell is in and of itself "good." I have centered my company — IQBAR — on creating and selling nutrient-dense foods to aid tens of thousands of Americans in achieving their health goals. In the same vein, we exist to do our part in displacing the Standard American Diet that has made us one of the sickest populations in the world.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
What I'm most proud of is doing my part to displace unhealthy food and beverage products for our 10's of 1,000's customers. In doing so, we're helping a meaningful number of people live happier, healthier lives. I'm also proud to employ seven other individuals. It's an enormous responsibility to take on the livelihoods of others, but it feels good to contribute to society in that way positively.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Making personnel decisions, hands down. Hiring is the single most difficult task as an entrepreneur, and firing is a close second.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Pick something you can do for 14 hours a day while still enjoying yourself.
- Understand the lifestyle changes you'll have to make. All your relationships will suffer, for instance.
- Don't "take the plunge" unless your product is truly, truly different. Even 2X differentiation is not enough to succeed in today's market.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't put too much stock in any given outsider's advice, and listen to your gut!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.eatiqbar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatiqbar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatiqbar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eatiqbar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iqbar-inc/
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.