Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Haylee Houkom, Owner of Power Plate Meals, located in Fargo, ND, USA.

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

Power Plate Meals is ready to eat meal prep company that offers healthy, delicious meals for busy individuals and families. Our customers are busy people on the go that want convenience, as well as a healthy meal to enjoy that tastes good! Our goal is to make eating healthily easier for everyone!! Our menu items are made fresh daily, our menu changes every two weeks, and we love to create people's favorite foods in a healthy way. We have nine retail locations in the Upper Midwest, among North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, as well as ship nationwide, right to your door at powerplatemeals.com.

Tell us about yourself

Power Plate Meals is a small business that was started by myself and my husband Seth in Fargo, ND. We have a passion for living a healthy lifestyle and felt there was a void in our market for being able to find a healthy, convenient meal. When we started in 2015, a lot of meal prep-style businesses were shipping-based and geared toward athletes. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable stopping in our stores to find a healthy meal for them to incorporate into their busy lifestyle. We thought if we could make our favorite foods in a healthy, better-for-you way and show that eating healthy is delicious too, we'd be able to help people all over the nation make healthier choices that would help them feel better from the inside out. We love to give back to our communities and work with school organizations and local food banks to provide healthy food for people in need. That is a huge part of our mission too. To make healthy eating accessible for everyone, and being able to give back to families in need, is something we love to do. What motivates our team daily is seeing the difference we are making in people's lives. Whether that was to help someone lose weight, make a healthier decision, feel better, or simply be there for them when they don't have time, it is amazing. We love to help people eat healthier and have more time for things they love to do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One of our biggest accomplishments as a company was to be awarded the 2019 Business of the Year by our local Fargo Moorhead Chamber. We were in the large business category against large, big-name businesses, and we couldn't believe we won. It was amazing to be recognized in our community for what we do.

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

I would say challenges have changed throughout the years, but ever since 2020, I'd say the most recent challenges are the price increases in all industries, as well as the hire struggles many businesses are facing across the nation.

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

  1. GO FOR IT!!! Don't wait for the perfect moment or for everything to be planned out how you would like; start taking action and get started; you will be so happy you did.
  2. Don't let the opinion of others tear you down. There will always be someone cheering against you or voicing their opinion about something. Keep your head held high, and don't let anyone else's opinion deter you from continuing and pursuing your dreams.
  3. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!! You are absolutely capable of anything you put your mind to. You can and will be successful, but you have to believe that you can do it, that you are capable of it, and that you deserve it. You've got this!!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you are not local to our nine retail locations, don't forget you can order at powerplatemeals.com, and we can ship our meals right to your door. No membership is needed; you can order once or as many times as you wish. We hope you see you as a customer soon!! Thank you!!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://powerplatemeals.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerplatemeals
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerplatemeals/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/power-plate-meals/

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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