Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kent Wood, CEO of ReadtheLabl, located in Little Rock, AR, USA.

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

We develop and manufacture the most nutritious food products on the planet.

Tell us about yourself

My son was extremely premature, and that made me very aware of his health, including nutrition. As he got older and didn't want to eat nutritious foods as much as before, I looked for nutritious alternatives at natural food stores, only to realize all of the organic packaged foods are mostly just organic cardboard with little or no nutritional value. Since I couldn't find a single product to purchase that I could put on his foods to make them more nutritious, I realized that if it's gonna be done, then I have to do it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Proving to food scientists and the food industry that a packaged food product can be made shelf-stable without added preservatives or other acidic methods to increase shelf-stability.

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

The growth pains are associated with having to have sufficient capital to hire good people. Hiring people early before having the capital to hire the best you can find is usually detrimental in the long run.

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

  1. Avoid borrowing money from banks/SBA lenders
    if you have to take out a loan. You don't have a good enough product, business model, and team to start a new company.
  2. Avoid product distribution companies as long as possible.
  3. Do not fall into the trap that just because you and your friends like your idea, it meets enough needs of enough people to survive and grow.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If it's not super hard, it's a hobby and not a real business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Simply the World’s Healthiest Sauces
We make the most nutritious food products on the planet. Our plant-based healthy pasta sauces add great nutrition, antioxidants, and vitamins to your meals and snacks. Try our nutritious whole food sauces today and Be Healthier!
ReadtheLablReadtheLabl

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.