Taste of Tradition

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nina Tickaradze, founder and CEO of NADI, located in Marietta, GA, USA.

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

I started NADI as a passion project to help create jobs and financial opportunities for refugees who were displaced by war and regional conflicts in my native country of Georgia. At the same time, I wanted to do something to introduce the rich history of Georgian culture to the rest of the world and share the health traditions of my ancestors. The idea for NADI was born.

Candidly, NADI was an impossible dream. Could a woman with a full-time day job and three young kids start an all-natural juice and fruit snacks company from scratch in a developing country with zero funding, no infrastructure, no equipment, and no employees? I knew that it was possible and that it would take a lot of relentless hard work, late nights, and sheer force of will to make it happen.

NADI is a social venture, so everything we do has purpose and meaning. The principles of responsible entrepreneurism inspire me every day to find new ways to grow sales, expand our product offerings and create more economic opportunities for displaced people.

Now NADI has steadily grown sales of all-natural healthy rosehip juices and dried fruit snacks that were inspired by ancient Georgian traditions of looking to nature for health and wellness. Our products are minimally processed to preserve all the natural vitamins and minerals. We NEVER add sugar, oil, preservatives, or anything artificial. We use sustainable and regenerative growing and harvesting techniques that are gentle on the bushes and trees, and we recently converted to 100% solar power at our juice production facility. NADI rosehip juices are the first and only USDA-certified organic rosehip juices available in America. Our award-winning Happy Hearts dried apple chips are a huge hit with kids and adults.

Tell us about yourself

Many people are born beautiful, brilliant, into wealth, but I was the one who was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to come to the United States from the USSR and truly chase my dreams. Often people forget how difficult and complex life can be in other countries and especially in countries that have lived through wars. I always remember, and it drives me each and every day to work harder than yesterday, to try again and again when I fail, and not to give up. However, being fortunate comes with a responsibility to help others to succeed and to support those who need help. When I had the opportunity to start NADI, the very first thing my team and I decided was how to help those in need, how to give back. The core of NADI was built to help refugees and internally displaced people who went through the turmoil of wars and needed a second chance. This is a powerful motivation for each one of us at NADI.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Getting NADI off the ground was an enormous undertaking. Early on, I realized that being a Social Venture, women-owned business, none of this would matter if we did not create the product that would sell and create demand.

I’m very proud of the high quality and uniqueness of our products. Rosehips are a super fruit with more vitamin C than oranges and lemons. In Georgia, people drink rosehip juice or tea pretty much every day. It helps strengthen your immunity, improve circulation heart health, soothe an upset stomach, promote wound healing, and even brighten your skin. And yet rosehips aren’t very common in America, so we’re helping spread the word about this incredible berry that has Vitamin C, antioxidants, polyphenols, and lots of our nutrients.

Our Happy Hearts Apple Chips are also unique because we use our own proprietary technology to make them ultra-crispy. Most apple chips are fried in unhealthy oils, baked or freeze-dried, and that destroys some of the vitamins and health benefits. Happy Hearts have just one ingredient: apples. We leave the peels on for complete fiber, and they’re super crunchy and fun to eat. And there are only 100 calories per bag, so it’s a guilt-free snack for kids, busy professionals, athletes, people with restrictive diets, and anyone who wants an easy and healthy treat.

Making drinks and snacks that are genuinely healthy, full of vitamins, and good for your body is our greatest accomplishment. And each purchase helps create jobs for refugees so they can rebuild their lives!

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

It's hard to face all the hurdles alone. Most often, I find a way, find a solution, and only then do I explain to my team the difficulties that we are facing. I've learned that every challenge or failure, or setback is actually a blessing because you gain valuable experience and wisdom.

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

Dream big and think outside the box. Ask for help and guidance from industry experts and people who have gone there before you. And build a strong team and community around you to help share the work, be a sounding board, make introductions to others who can help you, and talk through obstacles and challenges.

Everything we do is driven by our social mission. Believing in a greater purpose behind our products and our work is the true heartbeat of NADI and the driving force behind our passion for building this business. Our work makes an immediate positive impact on the lives of people who have struggled with poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://getnadi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getnadi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getnadi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nadi/

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.