Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ryan Wood, Founder of Sweetwood Smoke & Co., located in Steamboat Springs, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Sweetwood is about delivering a quality product with ingredients in which consumers can feel confident. We came into the beef jerky market initially intending to make a product we feel good eating day in and day out.
Our customers are those looking for a jerky snack that can fuel all of their BIG ambitions without any of the junk.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up playing sports as much as possible. When I graduated college, I had a brief stint in the NFL, where a group of us got the crazy idea that an undershirt could wick away sweat or keep you warm in adverse conditions.
That idea was the origin of Under Armour, and it got steam quickly. After over a decade at the company, I missed the Grassroots days. I felt I could pivot into another industry I had a big passion for--being in the mountains.
Now, incremental growth is what keeps us motivated. Every day, week, month, and year the team continues to push FATTY Smoked Meat Sticks to a new high. Those continual wins keep me motivated to make sure our team has no roadblocks in how they continue to push the brand.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Growth is what keeps us motivated. So each night, I feel like we hit a new goal during that day to qualify as a great accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing growth! With growth comes change, and the most challenging part is staying on the front end of it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Hire based on the people you trust. From there, they can learn anything.
- Don't be afraid to pivot. We started with portion-cut steaks, and that model had limited growth potential. We shifted to the stable shelf space when our capacity was capped out.
- Pursue your passion. Everyone says it, but that's the difference maker to staying engaged.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://sweetwood.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fattysmokedmeatsticks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sweetwood-smokeco/
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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