Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessie Deelo, founder and CEO of Deelo Consulting, located in Boston, MA, USA.

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

Deelo Consulting was founded to design and execute strategies for agricultural systems change. We work across the supply chain – with farmers, suppliers, food companies, and their trusted advisors – to create market value and new market access based on environmental and social outcomes. We provide high-impact consulting services to develop, advance, and scale outcomes in regenerative and Net Zero agriculture by aligning to people, places, and the planet.

We have a strong track record of working with global food companies, such as Unilever and Starbucks, as well as challenger brands, dairy cooperatives, supply chain companies, foundations, investors, and farmers across North America. Specifically, we operate in three main areas:

  • Strategic sourcing for food companies. We work cross-functionally to align sustainability, procurement, finance, operations, and brand teams to develop and deploy strategic roadmaps that are feasible with a clear ROI.
  • Supplier and supply chain capacity building. Guide mid-tier value chain and ingredient suppliers to provide traceability and transparency, improve competitiveness, and increase value and risk sharing through strategic, long-term sourcing.
  • Market-based farm plans. Translate market signals and strategize with farmers and their trusted advisors to maximize revenue and minimize risk across the crop rotation.

Tell us about yourself

My path to running my own sustainability consulting firm was far from typical! I discovered agriculture in college and fell in love. I went on a 10-year journey apprenticing on farms around the US and eventually running my own farm and community-supported agriculture program. When I felt isolated and sought to have a bigger impact, I went back to graduate school to learn how to do sustainable agriculture research and farmer outreach. After working at a University, I pivoted to the NGO sector to influence food companies and supply chain organizations on their sustainability commitments and farmer engagement. It was during my time leading an industry working group on a market development project when one of the companies pulled me aside and asked if I'd consult directly with them. I literally set up my firm in a month and never looked back.

It's easy to get doom and gloom about climate change and food systems, but I am motivated by the conviction that we, as a global community, are going to figure this out. And I want to be part of the solution that achieves real impact, fair and equitable practices and celebrates positive change.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am very proud of the work we've done across the food and agricultural supply chain, from developing incentives for farmers for improved soil health to designing corporate Net Zero investment strategies. The people and organizations we partner with are making meaningful progress on climate and biodiversity, and contributing to the direction and execution of that global impact is incredibly rewarding. However, I think my biggest accomplishment is my team. They are phenomenal people with deep experience and shared values. I was able to step away from leading the firm for a few months last year and was so impressed by what the team accomplished in my absence. It is extremely rewarding to have smart, talented, and dedicated people in my orbit, and I'm grateful for them every day.

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

With climate, food, agriculture, and finance all coming together right now, the hardest part of driving the business vision and strategy is focusing on our core competencies and building for the future. We are focused on delivering value and services to our clients while also being at the cutting edge and doing what we can to push innovation! Investing time and resources into educating ourselves, staying connected to leaders and change makers, and pursuing some crazy ideas may not have a strong return on our investment today, but we believe it makes us better in the long run. (My family would say the hardest part is the travel. They're not wrong!)

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

  1. Love what you do. Passion and dedication can get you through the hard spots, but you have to believe in yourself and the reasons you show up every day.
  2. Be authentic, honest, and transparent. Your values will shine through in everything you do, from product design to team building to budget to growth strategy. Make sure they align with your self-identity because there will be (a lot of!) times when your business is a reflection of you.
  3. Have a thought partner. Running a company can be lonely, even when you are surrounded by a team. Make sure you have a trusted friend/colleague to think big, ask questions, and keep you in check.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.deeloconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-deelo/

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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