Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christian Orms, Founder of Montana Pure Protein, located in Billings, MT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At Montana Pure Protein, we take locally sourced lentils and chickpeas and make value-added ingredients. These crops are highly efficient to grow with low resource demand providing a natural sustainability. In addition to the resource efficiency, they are high in protein and fiber, non-GMO, and gluten-free naturally.
Our customers are individuals who are seeking more control over their diet and are interested in supporting sustainable practices and CPG companies whose products are targeted at these consumers.
Tell us about yourself
Montana Pure Protein was started through a confluence of events at the end of 2019. I was the CFO of a startup that we were in the process of selling. During that time, my daughter was married into a farm and ranch family here in Montana.
Because of my background in venture capital and private equity, I was aware of the environment for plant-based products.
Over the previous few years, our family, in-laws, has stored up a significant number of bushels of lentils in bins due to market conditions. We decided to take those commodities and begin producing our own ingredient products.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The prior startup of which I was the CFO was in the oil and gas industry and began its life in 2012. During my time which went from 2013 to 2021, we survived big market dislocations from 2015 to 2018 and 2020 - 2021 (i.e., COVID).
During that time, we grew the company from 4 employees to 68 while surviving the turmoil. Our products were highly engineered mobile gas processing systems that are deployed to well sites to reduce the flaring of gas. The management is on the verge of a successful exit, to which I am still contributing as a large shareholder and former CFO. My contribution to a successful exit will count as my biggest accomplishment to date.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the biggest executive challenges as you grow a company is to understand that your job is the team and not the daily tactical work.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take your time.
- Make mistakes.
- Know your customer.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://montanapure.us/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3YF2zdq
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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