Entrepreneurship: The Art of the Itch

Roar with Lakecia Gunter

“When you have an itch, there is an ART to how to approach it. The A is for ask, R is for research, and T is for test. “

Choosing to leave the comfort of stable, well-paying work in order to pursue our passions is an intimidating prospect. For many out there, making that transition can be a struggle and it can feel like there is a lack of resources at our disposal to get our ideas off the ground. Taking the risk to invest in ourselves and develop an independence through entrepreneurship, however, can be one of the best decisions we make for our careers.

Joining me today is Reneta Jenik, the Founder and CEO of ‘Foodom’ - an Online Marketplace dedicated to making meals affordable and accessible to busy families that want to eat cleaner and healthier, while at the same time reducing their waste close to zero. Reneta was inspired to create this framework after examining the issues that were present at her own dinner table. After realizing that other families were experiencing similar concerns, she embarked on a journey to create what is now a successful in-home meal preparation startup.

Though Reneta did not come from a background in the food industry, the skill set she developed at previous tech giants such as Intel, became invaluable in her current venture at ‘Foodom’. She believes that the core marketing and business practices that were present at previous jobs were just as prominent in creating the framework for her startup and helped her to navigate the company structure.

In today’s episode, we discuss why Reneta decided to transition out of corporate culture and start a small business, how Covid-19 has impacted her team’s approach to processing and manufacturing issues, as well as marketing insights and advice for budding business owners! We also talk about how Reneta’s upbringing influenced her core values surrounding food and why she had such an unwavering commitment to seeking justice at a young age.

For anyone out there looking to take the leap and carve out a niche for themselves within the entrepreneurship space, tune in to Episode 20 of Roar!

Some Questions I Ask:

• Could you talk about your background and who influenced you the most growing up? (3:04)
• Is there a defining moment in your life that shaped you for entering adulthood? (6:10)
• How did you come up with the concept for ‘Foodom’ & How has it evolved since its inception? (12:16)
• How have you been able to leverage your experience as a Tech Executive to tackle issues within the food industry? (19:16)
• How has COVID impacted your business? (22:40)
• What have you considered to be your biggest mistake or failure and how did you navigate it? (26:11)
• What are the most important characteristics for an individual to possess who is wanting to break into entrepreneurship? (28:03)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• How to step up when you see injustices happen. (6:24)
• How all great ideas begin with an itch & how to listen to that intuition. (09:34)
• The first step toward starting a business: identifying people’s needs. (12:45)
• How to scale a small business by seeking external help. (15:27)
• The key to a successful startup. (21:56)
• The current trends in the food market & how are companies supporting their employees in this regard. (24:08)
• Why a partnership with a co-founder is similar to marriage. (26:57)
• Reneta’s advice for entrepreneurs and business owners. (29:11)
• What the acronym ‘A.R.T’ stands for & its importance for a startup. (30:03)
• The importance of leaving shame aside and asking questions ‘like there’s no tomorrow’. (30:57)
• Some helpful resources and organizations that can help you with your startup journey. (31:59)
• Starting a business doesn’t have to be costly. (34:22)

Connect With Reneta Jenik:

• LinkedIn
• Email: [e-mail]
• ‘MyFoodom’ - Website
• ‘MyFoodom’ - Facebook
• ‘MyFoodom’ - LinkedIn

Resources:

• TV Show: ‘Undercover Billionaire’
• Book: Eric Ries - The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses

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