Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maria Cebrian, co-founder and CEO of Terraseed, a nutrition brand that creates sustainable vegan supplements packaged in the world's first biodegradable pill bottle.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Do you know that every year, the US supplement industry kills 24 billion animals and creates 1.8 billion plastic pill bottles? We are here to change that! Terraseed creates vegan dietary supplements that are sustainably sourced and packaged in the first fully biodegradable pill bottle. We support eco-conscious consumers who care about animals and the environment who want dietary supplement products that are fully aligned with their values.
Tell us about yourself
I went vegan because of the environment, and soon after, I was not feeling great. I am a mountain runner, and I felt energy-depleted and had problems focusing and concentrating. Soon I found that I was nutrient deficient, the same as 92% of all vegans. I started taking six different supplements, but I hated all the plastic pill bottles, and she realized the ingredients were not even vegan! And they were sourced from who knows where. Not to mention the money I had to spend in buying all these bottles and the hassle of taking all these pills every day.
I also learned that the US supplement industry kills 24 billion animals and creates 1.8 billion plastic pill bottles every single year. I felt overwhelmed and appalled! So after selling my second company, I decided to found Terraseed. I was determined to build the dream supplement product for myself and for everyone who was looking for a dietary supplement that was 100% aligned with their eco-conscious values and lifestyle.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We are the first vegan company to be accepted into the prestigious Techstars acceleration program. I sold my previous company to the media giant Gaia. And I was the 2016 Best Female Founder by the Founder Institute.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Entrepreneurship comes with huge challenges! It requires a wide range of skills and a lot of capacity to learn new things. But I would say the hardest thing is to identify what is the important stuff and stay focused on that. And also, to keep a positive attitude no matter what!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't let fear guide your decisions. Be brave!
- Be self-aware. Get to know yourself first in order to connect with others. Building a business is all about personal relationships!
- Stay focused on your mission. Use your mission as your north star. It will help you guide your way, and it will give you the strength you need when things get difficult!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://terraseed.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-cebrian-fernandez/
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.
