Starting and growing a business in an industry dominated by corporate giants is no easy task, but it is possible, as demonstrated by husband and wife team Ben Lewis and Angela Vranich, co-founders of Little Spoon, a boy and a girl pay attention to your health. baby food brand.
Ben and Angela joined us for an intimate Entrepreneur+ members-only event, where they discussed their business from the aha moment that launched it to its status as the fastest growing baby and toddler food brand in the United States. You can watch their informative and thought-provoking discussion by clicking here, and if you’re not yet an Entrepreneur+ subscriber, follow this link to get a free month.
Before the call, we met with the founding couple to delve into the details of their success.
Please tell us a little about your background and what Little Spoon is.
Ben Lewis: I am an entrepreneur, operator and angel investor with extensive experience at the intersection of brands, food, supply chain and technology. I am the co-founder and CEO of Little Spoon, the number one online baby and toddler food brand and one of the fastest growing direct-to-consumer brands in the United States.
Angela Vranich: I started my career working in food-related television production, where I was responsible for creative planning and execution. As co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Little Spoon, I oversee consumer insights, product development, research and every physical touchpoint with the consumer. Our mission is to make parents’ lives easier and babies healthier by delivering freshly made baby food, early appetizers, baby and toddler meals and snacks right to their doors.
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What inspired you to create Little Spoon?
FROM: In 2015, Ben ran a food and beverage distribution company and I ran a marketing company for natural and organic food brands. As food entrepreneurs, we have both witnessed firsthand a major shift away from shelf-stable processed foods and seen dozens of fresh brands emerge, but a surprising lack of focus on innovation in children’s food, particularly ready-to-eat meals convenient and convenient snacks that busy parents rely on as their children grow.
BL: I remember thinking, “How come there are more than a dozen brands of fresh pet food on the market but no options for fresh baby food?” Millennials were becoming parents in droves, but the market was dominated by big legacy brands – like Gerber, Lunchables and Kid Cuisine – that largely didn’t measure up to the needs or standards of this new modern parent. The gap in the market seemed so obvious that we knew we had to do something about it.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
BL: Challenges come every day when you run a business, but we’ll start at the beginning. The operational requirements and safety standards for producing baby food, combined with the total lack of interest from countless manufacturers, caused us one rejection after another in the first few months. It just felt like there was nowhere to go. In the end we found a partner who was open-minded, flexible and capable of meeting our stringent requirements. This small, family-owned manufacturing partner took a chance on Little Spoon and we remain committed to the partnership with them today, 50 million meals later.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs in the early days of starting a business?
BL: Be aware and discerning of the people you surround yourself with. Whether it’s an initial investor, someone you’re bringing on board as a co-founder, or a handful of people you hire, it’s critical to choose people who not only share your vision and values, but also bring different skills and perspectives to the project. table.
FROM: Be prepared to be told that your idea is crazy, that you’re doing it wrong, that it will never work… the list goes on. Stay resilient, trust your vision, and focus on continually learning and adapting. Accept feedback, but also believe in your idea and your ability to make it happen.
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What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking for funding?
BL: First, be patient. You almost certainly won’t hear much more than you hear yes. In many ways, this is good training for the entrepreneurial rollercoaster that lies ahead! Before you start talking to investors, get in line and it is always useful to be aware of the interests and portfolios of the investors you are approaching and tailor your presentation accordingly. And when potential investors do their due diligence on your business, you should reciprocate. Talk to other entrepreneurs they’ve worked with to understand how they work with founders. Assess what strategic value they might be able to bring and try to take a look at what they are like as people and partners.
What does the word “entrepreneur” mean to you?
FROM: To me, an entrepreneur is someone who embodies innovation, initiative and resilience. They are the architects of their own initiatives and take risks to bring new ideas to life. Entrepreneurs face uncertainties, adapt to challenges, and continually seek growth opportunities.
BL: It’s difficult to define this word because there are so many different types of entrepreneurs and no two people are the same. However, I would argue that these are people who share qualities such as deep imagination and optimism, combined with calculated risk-taking, tenacity and, above all, resilience.
Is there a particular quote or saying you use as personal motivation or a philosophy you use to motivate your team?
BL: “Aim for progress rather than perfection.” Entrepreneurs are hardwired by nature, and we often hold ourselves to very high standards. But it’s important to remember that making incremental improvements, even small steps forward, is much more important than constantly chasing the elusive idea of perfection. The journey of growth can be as valuable as the destination itself.
FROM: “Enjoy the ride.” Working in a startup environment can be a challenging and often unpredictable journey, full of ups and downs. For us it is a priority to celebrate and recognize even the smallest of victories. It can be easy to overlook the unattractive or seemingly insignificant things – a successful cost-savings initiative or the launch of a new feature on our website – but every small victory contributes to a larger goal and a success story.
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What advice would you give to other married couples who are thinking of starting a business together?
FROM: For us it’s a sense of adventure. If you plan to attend together, be all-in so you have a greater understanding of the rigor, the program and what it takes.
BL: Make sure you stay connected on a personal level and honor the things that mean the most to you.
What has been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned since starting Little Spoon?
FROM: Culture matters. How you present yourself as a leader and collaborator has a direct impact on your team and their overall morale. No matter what challenges we face behind the scenes, maintaining transparency, empathy and authenticity has been critical to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best work.
BL: Chaos is normal. Embrace it and see the uncertainty it brings not as a threat but as an opportunity for those who are prepared. As an entrepreneur, your ability to adapt and manage multiple fronts at once is what will define your success.
And to watch our informative and thought-provoking discussion with Ben and Angela, click here. The discussion is for our Entrepreneur+ subscribers only, but if you’re not a member, follow this link to get a free month.