Grown + Juiced + Powdered - Sweet Prairie Haskap

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverages but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Kramer, Owner and CEO of Sweet Prairie Haskap, located in Pebble Beach, CA, US.

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

Sweet Prairie Haskap Berry Juice and Smoothie Powder are products derived from 100% haskap berries. The berries not grown in the US are among the most nutrient dense in the world. As it is extremely anti-inflammatory and energy boosting and has 3x the amount of antioxidants than a blueberry, most of our customers are athletes/health conscious or people struggling with arthritis, autoimmune issues, gut health, or chronic pain. One ounce of our juice daily provides the same amount of anti-inflammatory properties as taking one Aleve.

Tell us about yourself

I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years when my husband was called by a haskap farmer he spoke with years ago when he was developing an ingredient to go into a soda company. At the time, he had wanted to make a haskap soda, and the berries weren't developed enough at that time to have enough of a crop. Ten years later, that farmer called and said they had enough berries to begin selling pure juice. My husband was too busy to take on the project, so I decided I would try a few samples of the juice. I was having a lot of health issues, and after taking the product for a couple of months, a lot of those issues began to correct. I took on the task of developing the product further with our Canadian farming contact, started out at our local farmers' markets, got into local retailers, did a lot of demos, and did whatever I could to get the word out.

I'm a mom of two girls aged 5 and 8, and a lot of what motivates me is watching how proud they are of me, taking on a business having no real business background but just working really hard in a genuine and sincere way. I want them to see that if you are passionate about something, that passion can take you farther than you might expect. As well as some very long days.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It may sound a little Pollyanna, but my goal isn't directly to sell juice or powder. What I really love is making connections with people who are sometimes in a lot of pain and just need to be heard or given some hope. There is nothing more gratifying than having a customer come back two weeks after I've sold him/her product and tell me how much better they feel. That's everything.

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

Growth rarely comes as quickly as you want it to. I had so many people (still do) tell me most businesses fail by year 3. It's tough to stay positive when it feels like things are just not moving, but keeping a cool head and constantly re-evaluating your strategy is so important. You have to remember it is a long game.

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

Make sure you surround yourself with individuals who know more than you do and listen to their advice whenever possible.
Watch where you spend your money. It's easy to throw money at any company that says it can grow your sales. Most can't. Make sure anyone you work with has strong referrals from people you know and respect. Every dollar out needs to bring a dollar in.
Give your business attention every day - even one action item a day is 365 actions a year. Slow and steady wins.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sweetprairiehaskap.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetprairiehaskap
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetprairiehaskap/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-kramer-63a0221a5/

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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