Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Wendi Winkler, Owner of Urban Chemist LLC., located in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Urban Chemist LLC is the creator of Fast Mary's Bloody Mary Enhancer. Fast Mary's is a craft blend of seasonings that is added to a tomato/vegetable-based juice to create a savory bloody mary. Fast Mary's is shelf-stable, naturally vegan, gluten-free, and has no soy/MSG. Our focus is on direct contact with the customer and building relationships to grow a sustainable, successful company that is a leader in specialty beverages and sauces. Fast Mary's products are marketed locally to retail liquor stores, restaurants, grocery stores, retail gift stores, bar establishments, and online customers.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in a small town in Ellsworth, Wisconsin (yes, home of the infamous cheese curds!!). After high school, I attended UW-River Falls as an English major. After failing to find work in the writing field post-college, I bartended at a local tavern and started working for 3M Company. I had the opportunity to go back to college for my Chemistry degree, and I got my BS in Chemistry from Augsburg College in 2007. I worked for 3M for 11 years and then worked for Xcel Energy as a Chemistry Supervisor for another 7 years.
During my bartending years, the concept of Fast Mary's Bloody Mary Enhancer was born. Ten people deep on a given Saturday or Sunday morning, everyone wanted a Bloody Mary. It was time-consuming as the only bartender on shift, so I developed a concoction of spices that I would simply add to tomato juice and vodka. It was well-received. For the next decade or so, I worked on perfecting the recipe. I formed Urban Chemist LLC in 2013 and began selling Fast Mary's Blood Mary Enhancer in 2015. I took the leap in early 2017 to quit my cozy corporate job and do Fast Mary's full-time. Urban Chemist LLC became LGBTE-certified and WBENC-certified in late 2016.
Although my background is in organic chemistry, food chemistry and how things taste together is my passion. I tell people I am an inventor first and a chemist second.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Surviving 2020 during the pandemic. Most selling channels dried up throughout 2020 and into 2021. We pivoted to more social media marketing campaigns since in-person events were canceled for most of 2020-2021.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner and sole owner, wearing all the hats is the most challenging part. You are the manufacturer, supply chain, marketer/salesperson, accountant, etc. It's hard not to become the bottleneck to growing your business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Raise 50% more capital than you think you need. You will need it.
- Use the capital to hire someone to do the things you aren't as passionate about with your business.
- Embrace social media. It's a powerful tool, and the reach is endless.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://fastmarys.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastmarys/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastmarys13/
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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