Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lucy Dana, Co-Founder and CEO of One Trick Pony, located in Washington, DC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We make peanut butter with just two ingredients: Argentinian peanuts and Patagonian sea salt. Peanuts are indigenous to South America, meaning the climate is perfect for cultivating naturally sweet peanuts. That's it! No sugar, no palm oil, no nonsense. We sell directly on our website, onetrickponynuts.com, and in a growing number of stores across the country.
Tell us about yourself
I have always loved food. At 11 years old, I'd spend my afternoons watching hours of Rachel Ray's 30-minute meals on the Food Network. I started a food magazine in college, I temped at Williams-Sonoma HQ, and I was Chief of Staff at Blue Bottle Coffee. I've also always wanted to work with my brother, and while in Argentina for his and my sister-in-law's wedding, we tried A LOT of peanut butter and fell in love with the flavor and consistency. We looked at each other and knew this had to be our business. Lots of cross-continental Zoom calls and WhatsApp messages later, One Trick Pony was born.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We're a family-run company. I'm proud of not letting my business relationship with my brother and sister-in-law degrade our personal relationship. Of course, there are certain days I want to strangle my brother, but that's for a different interview.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The unknown and uncertainty of the future can be daunting. My personal mantra for the year is "Turn Fear into Opportunity."
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just start - you will learn so much from getting your early product into the hands of consumers instead of waiting for everything to be perfect.
- Learn what you can outsource the rest. Don't be afraid to hire contractors to do tasks that don't fit in your core skillset.
- Everything is negotiable. Never take the first quote or answer as final.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://onetrickponynuts.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onetrickponynuts/
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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