Gluten-Free, Vegan & Customizable Foods

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jen Fecher, owner, and CEO of OH, Forks!™, located in Fort Wayne, IN, USA.

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

I am the creator and owner of OH, Forks!™ gluten-free & vegan home-based bakery. My main customers are those who live with Celiac disease or other food allergies that require a customized diet, those who have a gluten or dairy sensitivity, or those looking to have their sweets & treats be on the healthier side of the aisle- with no refined sugars, organic & natural foods, and nutrition labels- & those who LOVE delicious goods! On top of filling special orders locally, attending farmer's markets & events, giving educational presentations on the importance of following the GF diet as a Celiac, and dabbling in catering, we also have a line of Dry Goods baking & cooking mixes, Spoon-In Spices blends, Socially Frozen ice creme line, & a nice selection of cookbooks available in e-book & print.

Tell us about yourself

OH, Forks!™ began due to my family's personal journey with Celiac disease, other autoimmune diseases, & the need to make a bit more money on the side to cover the kids' camp costs with my cooking & baking skills. When my daughter was one, she was diagnosed with Celiac disease and other issues that required her to be free of all gluten immediately. My own diagnoses were soon to follow and would prove to change our lives as we knew them. As I began learning and empowering myself with information, I noticed few valid resources in our area regarding Celiac disease and healthier eating. We now work daily to be a resource to the community & anyone who needs us! We have grown so much in 14 years!

Every day I am motivated by my three children and the desire to make a difference in this world. Even in the face of complex illness, I strive to do my best, give my best, and be my best each and every day. Where there is a will, there is indeed a way. We spend our free time volunteering with our local Homebound Meals chapter to help to deliver meals to homebound people in our community and volunteer with our local foods banks and food-centered charities.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as an entrepreneur and business owner is truly that I am still going after all these years! My medical issues cause major barriers and are constantly evolving, forcing me to adjust my sails to be able to stay afloat and on course. I was able to go back to college to get my second degree in business, and I have & continue to add new goods, books, and product lines to our brand every year. I am also super stoked about my VIPs and customer base. They are some of the best people I've ever met & I'm grateful for their support!

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

One of the hardest things about being an entrepreneur, mom, wife, human, and out-of-the-house educator is finding the correct balance of time distribution and not having guilt when it doesn't ever work out correctly. Or maybe it's squeezing in those last-minute special birthday orders to an already overbooked weekend and having to find time to fit it all in, including your medical treatments and feeding your own children. Or, more recently, it's supply shortage issues and ensuring that my gluten-free goods are only coming from certified distributors. There are so many challenges and so many opportunities to learn in business!

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

First, educate yourself about business in general- every aspect. The ins and outs, how to write business plans, learn every aspect of the financial side, and how to plan and forecast for the best and worst-case scenarios going forward. This doesn't necessarily mean college, as there are tons of free resources out there. I was lucky enough to have one degree under my belt before I began OH, Forks!™ and even luckier to be working for a very successful local entrepreneur for my main job, who has taught me a lot.

Second, fine-tune your craft, whatever it is, and be passionate about it. This might mean you take a course or to get certified. If you need to hone your craft- do it. Take the time. The quality of your goods or services will give you the best kind of marketing help & many more referrals.

Third, be open to changing up your sales plan. In this world of ever-evolving technology, do not limit yourself with only one avenue or stream. Utilize social media, personal websites, and online sales. Hop into local markets or stores.

All of these things have greatly helped OH, Forks!™ grow into the business that it is today.

I'm a mother of three, wife, chronically awesome human, entrepreneur, author (Skye Falcon), Director of Educational Services at Reclaiming Intimacy, dedicated feline enthusiast & animal lover, and avid expert gardener. Please consider volunteering at your local food bank or "meals on wheels" location in your town!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ohforks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohforks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohforks_skyefalcon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-fecher-ohforks-reclaimingintimacy/

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.

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