Kate Flynn, co-founder and CEO of Sun and Swell, shares her journey of starting a sustainable food company that focuses on eliminating single-use plastics from the packaged food industry. She discusses the challenges of transitioning to compostable packaging and the importance of finding a niche in the market. Kate also provides insights into the organic certification process and offers advice for entrepreneurs looking to start their own green businesses. Additionally, she highlights the concept of upcycling in the food industry and its potential for reducing waste. In this conversation, Anne interviews the founder of Sun & Swell Foods, discussing various certifications and their importance in the business. They talk about organic certification, being a certified B Corporation, the benefits and challenges of certifications, and the inspiration from Patagonia. They also touch on being a certified woman-owned business, winning the Google Single Use Plastic Challenge, the wholesale business and distribution, selling on Amazon, social proof and media features, using Instagram for brand building, and the mindset of progress over perfection.
Key Takeaways
- Transitioning to compostable packaging can be challenging but is essential for reducing single-use plastics in the food industry.
- Finding a niche and focusing on solving one problem at a time is crucial for the success of a green business.
- Organic certification is a process that requires traceability and can be expensive but adds value to products made with organic ingredients.
- Upcycling in the food industry involves turning waste ingredients into valuable products, contributing to a circular economy and reducing waste. Certifications like organic and B Corporation can increase consumer trust and improve sales.
- Choosing the right certifications for your business is important, as they can be expensive and time-consuming.
- Being a certified woman-owned business can provide opportunities and priority in certain projects.
- Wholesale business and distribution can be a significant part of a company’s revenue.
- Using social media platforms like Instagram can help build brand awareness and connect with customers.It’s important to focus on progress rather than striving for perfection.The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a valuable resource for learning about the circular economy.
Contact Info
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-flynn-15187726/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-and-swell-foods
Instagram @kateflynn1 or @sunandswellfoods
Links
https://greenbizpod.com/sunandswell
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/