Meet HealthyNut
FOUNDED BY
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Boston Women’s Market & Jennifer Foley
BWM: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to begin your journey with your business? Was there an aha! Moment?
Jennifer Foley: Personal health issues led me to start making my own healthy snacks. I have certain food restrictions and needed to make something that was delicious and healthy that I could feel good about eating. I started sharing them and posting them to social media and was told by friends and family. You need to start selling these so we started with our original chocolate chip flavor making everything gluten and dairy free was my main objective.
BWM: For many women starting out in the entrepreneurial world, there can be a lot of self-doubt. Do you have any personal stories about how you conquered self-doubt? What guidance would you give to others?
Jennifer: Ha ha this question gave me a chuckle. Not only do you have self-doubt starting off in the entrepreneurial world that self-doubt often continues throughout your journey. The best thing that I did was to make friends with like-minded small business owners, who are now my support group that I can go to when I’m stressed when I don’t know which direction to go in when I just need some validation.
BWM: A mentor can play an integral role in someone’s career progression and personal growth. Did you have a mentor that influenced where you are today?
Jennifer: I didn’t necessarily have a mentor per se, but had a really good friend that had started her own business and watched her go through the self-doubt, can I actually do this, who do I go to for help? So I knew exactly who to take advice from, and she is actually a really good friend so I knew that she really wanted me to succeed.
“The best thing that I did was to make friends with like-minded small business owners, who are now my support group that I can go to when I’m stressed when I don’t know which direction to go in when I just need some validation.”
BWM: Many women begin their small business journey as a way to seek fulfillment they may not be getting in their 9-5 job. Others aren't sure where to begin and need help "digging deeper" to find what it is that fills their cup. What are some steps someone can take today to begin that journey of discovery?
Jennifer: I would say the first step into taking that leap to begin. Your small business is to figure out what you actually love. There’s nothing worse than a small business that you can tell doesn’t have the passion behind it and you can always tell the ones that truly love their product and what they do.
BWM: We think the stories of failure are just as important as the stories of success. Can you talk about a time that you failed in an entrepreneurial venture or objective? How did you face and overcome this failure? What was the lesson learned?
Alex: Failures come in all shapes and sizes when you own your own business. They can be as simple as trying out a new product that may not work or as complex as dealing with the economy and not having the sales to keep you going.
BWM: Do you have a favorite moment so far with your business? Where you really felt like you were on the right path?
Alex: My favorite moments are when I see people coming back week after week to the farmers markets to restock.
BWM: How have you continued to manage the growth of your business while also finding time and ways to invest in yourself?
Alex: Haha this question also gave me a chuckle ☺. I’m truly trying to focus on growing the business and don’t really have time to invest in myself. I am also a fitness instructor so it keeps me accountable with working out. This year I have hired more help and am focusing on streamlining things like packaging and production to try and free up more time for myself to help with my mental health.
BWM: From one small business owner to another, what is your favorite go-to business tool or resource you can recommend to our community?
Alex: Haha honestly, Chat GBT has saved me with social media. Social media can be intimidating for someone my age and chat gbt makes it easy to come up with post/story ideas. Social media is such an important part of owning a small business these days.
BWM: What is your go-to Podcast or book of the moment?
Alex: The Smartless podcast is my current obsession. It keeps me laughing during stressful days.
