Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cynthia Convery, Founder of PureWild Co Inc., located in Ojai, CA, USA.

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

I founded PureWild Co marine collagen drinks in my kitchen in Ojai, California. I was looking for a really clean collagen product that actually tasted good. I couldn't find it, so I decided to make it. I made three flavors of PureWild drinks and put them in my local natural foods store. The beverages sold out in 5 days, so I went into business! It's been exactly two years since our first grocery store order. Now PureWild drinks are available in 50 states with the two biggest natural foods distributors. I'm working with a nutritionist and oncologist to produce collagen supplements specifically designed for women with breast cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disease. There's such a need for this supplement that we'll be able to give away a 30-day supply of supplements for every three boxes that we sell. That makes me happy!

Tell us about yourself

I founded PureWild Co marine collagen drinks in my kitchen in Ojai, California. I was looking for a really clean collagen product that actually tasted good. I couldn't find it, so I decided to make it. I made three flavors of PureWild drinks and put them in my local natural foods store. The beverages sold out in 5 days, so I went into business! It's been exactly two years since our first grocery store order. Now PureWild drinks are available in 50 states with the two biggest natural foods distributors. I'm working with a nutritionist and oncologist to produce collagen supplements specifically designed for women with breast cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disease. There's such a need for this supplement that we'll be able to give away a 30-day supply of supplements for every three boxes that we sell. That makes me happy!

I started a few companies before I started PureWild, so I had some experience launching the brand. I was a single mother with two daughters to raise, and I supported us by producing movie trailers for Warner Bros and Disney. It was perfect because we watched lots of animation - me for work and my kids for fun (they didn't know I was working!). I learned a lot about branding and marketing from those years. I made sample PureWild drinks, and on a Monday afternoon, I put them on the shelf in my local natural foods stores. By Friday, all 36 bottles were sold out! So I officially started the company based on that 'customer survey.' Then Covid hit, and my daughter and her fiancé, Derek, moved in with me. Derek offered to help with some tech issues, and now he's become a full-time partner. PureWild is a family business. PureWild went into its first retail markets in June 2020, and now we're selling in all 50 states, just under two years. In 2021, I created collagen-infused Chardonnay wine with a winemaker in California's Sonoma Valley. It's low alcohol, low calorie, zero sugar wine. We're in the middle of launching that product along with collagen-infused Rose wine that was just bottled.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The biggest accomplishment with PureWild is how fast the company has expanded across the country. Another big accomplishment is the great partners to help PureWild grow, especially when I knew absolutely nothing about beverage companies. I've been extremely lucky in finding the right sales broker, great store partners who supported our early sales, and fantastic hotels who invited PureWild to create special events at some amazing properties.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is being brave. It can be hard and exhausting to keep believing that everything will be ok when there are so many ups and downs in starting and growing a new business - from big challenges like lack of investment money for growth to daily problems like missed deliveries and canceled orders or supply problems. Business owners have to believe that everything will work out or be quick to change direction when things don't work out. And you have to be good at getting a great night's sleep no matter what went wrong that day! That takes practice!

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

  1. Make sure you love what you're doing because a new business will take over your life.
  2. Be the best listener you can be. Hear what people say and think about the advice that comes to you in the early days.
  3. Be kind. Kindness brings the best partners into your world because people will want to work with you, and they'll refer other good partners to you. Most people work hard, and most people care about what they do. Acknowledging that with kindness helps everyone feel a little better and do a little bit better. It makes all the difference.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://purewildco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purewildco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purewildco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purewild-co/

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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