Healthy Convenient Snacks - Seahorse Snacks

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stacy Martin, Founder of Seahorse Snacks, located in Chattanooga, TN, USA.

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

My business is called Seahorse Snacks. We make healthy and delicious roasted nuts with unique and unusual flavors. Currently, we have two flavors: Chili Turmrific - it's savory and more flavorful than spicy. It comes on almonds, cashews, and pistachios. The other is Maple Chaitastic; it comes on pecans. It's sweet but like a light version of a candied pecan. Some people say it tastes like Christmas. My customers are people who are active and on the go and who want delicious and healthy snacks to take with them while they are living their best lives. They also make great gifts.

Tell us about yourself

So seahorses don't have stomachs, and neither do I! 3 years ago, I found out that I had a pretty rare genetic mutation, CDH1. It gave me a very high risk of getting stomach cancer and breast cancer in my lifetime. The cancer is diffuse, so it grows in the lining of the stomach, and it's really hard to find. I had a choice; I could do surveillance or have my stomach removed. I chose the latter. In September 2019, I had my stomach removed, and when they did the pathology, they found 17 spots of cancer that we didn't know were there. It was immediately validated that I had made the right decision.

That changed a lot of things for me, and the way I eat was one of them. Now I need to eat a lot of protein, as that's what keeps me going. I developed these snacks because I eat them. I chose the best ingredients I could find. Now it's my way of sharing my love of food and my story with the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Probably building this business to where it is so far. I started out of my home kitchen in March 2021, selling mainly at markets in the Chattanooga area. I launched my website in May 2021. Then I moved into a commercial kitchen in October 2021 and received my TN Department of Agriculture certification Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. I know I am still just getting started, but I have also come a long way. This business is the silver lining of my journey so far. I am excited about where we are headed!

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

You are all of the departments, especially at the beginning. Sometimes it's overwhelming. You tell yourself, once I get this done, I will be ok. But then completing x just leads you to 3 more opportunities for you to solve. Honestly, though, that's all part of the adventure. You are so much more well-rounded as a business person when you get to overcome all of these challenges, and there is immense pride in conquering them. Also, learning that you don't have to do it all by yourself. There are so many resources available for small businesses and people willing to help if you just ask!

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

1. Find something you are passionate about. Working for yourself is hard but very rewarding.
2. Find some people who are in the trenches just like you. Having a community is so helpful; you never know how exactly you can help each other, but you have the power of each other's networks working indoor favor. Also, sometimes knowing you're not alone is comforting.
3. Just do it! You have everything you need inside of you to get started, and you will find the help you need along the way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://seahorsesnacks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seahorse.snacks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seahorse_snacks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seahorse-snacks/

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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