Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meagan Bozeman, Co-Founder of CURRANT 3D and Sugar Lab, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

We are an end-to-end food 3D printing company. Meaning we do everything from designing 3D printable files to mass producing 3D printed food products to manufacturing and selling 3D printers and supplies. Our mission statement from day one has been to make 3D printed food easy, accessible, and scalable. That's our guiding light. And our business is four-fold in order to achieve this.

First off, anyone can order products from our Sugar Lab consumer website. We sell drink garnishes, candies, and even chocolate bonbons (3D printed shells filled with house-made chocolate ganache). Secondly, through our Sugar Lab PRO services, we design custom products for events, marketing activations, and branded gifting, then print and deliver. Thirdly, we develop custom products for wholesale that are sold under different brands and then mass-produce them in our L.A. kitchen. Lastly, we enable other food manufacturers to do what we're doing by selling them hardware and supplies and providing training and support.

Tell us about yourself

I met Kyle, our CEO, and co-founder, while we were both working at 3D Systems. It was shortly after he had invented the food printing tech and was acquired by the company. Together, we built the Culinary Division, which led to the development of the food-safe CURRANT 3D printer that our company is built around. We knew better than anyone the potential of this technology but also recognized that the culinary space would need, perhaps more than any other space that has adopted 3D printing, someone who could make it easy, accessible, and scalable. So that's what we set out to do.

I'm motivated by challenges and am extremely competitive with myself. I set this goal, and every day, I need to see progress, or I'm not satisfied. Plus, this business is very fun and creative. We develop beautiful, delicious, 3D printed food every day. Products no one has ever seen or experienced. Who else can say that?!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating something from nothing, especially in the shadow of COVID. We had access to a technology that no one else did, but we had to figure out how to break into the market. Thankfully, 3D printed food captures a lot of attention in the media, but we had to translate that interest into a sustainable business. We had to figure out how to build and operate the first-ever 3D printing commercial kitchen, create compelling products and use cases, and assemble the right team of chefs and designers to help us do it.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is identifying the products that people want to buy. Who is our target market, and what will resonate with them? What will they find value in that will justify paying a premium for 3D printed food? We learned along the way that Sugar Lab is a great tool for educating the world about the possibilities of 3D printed food and for testing the market with new products and applications.

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

  1. Choose your co-founders and early team very carefully. Everyone has to do more work and a wider variety of work in a start-up than in a mature business. You need capable people who love a challenge and are tireless in the face of adversity. I'm very thankful Kyle and I have different strengths and skill sets that allow us to work almost seamlessly together. I think having the right business partner is maybe the most critical component to the early years of a start-up.
  2. Validate your assumptions before heavily investing in them. If possible, feel the pain of not having the software tool or equipment (for example) that you 'think you need' until you live the process, feel the pain, and know exactly what you're trying to address.
  3. Remember to celebrate the successes. Step back and admire what you've already built. It may seem overwhelming to consider the journey still ahead, but take a moment to revel in what you and your team have accomplished.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://currant3d.com/
https://sugarlab3d.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarlab3d
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarlab3d/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/currant3d/

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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