Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Wilson.
Hi Lindsey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started out making bone broth to facilitate my own healing. I eliminated garlic and onions and could not find a broth on the market without them, so I started making my own. I didn’t particularly care for the taste so I used a wide range of herbs to mask the taste and add extra benefits. A Facebook post turned into 100 orders overnight and the business was born. I didn’t intend to start a broth company, but I discovered a demand and I went for it! I started out selling via Facebook posts, cooking on an electric stove, and meeting customers on street corners and in parking lots. Fast forward to today and nearly 20,000 orders later – we have our own commercial kitchen in DTLA, a storefront in Venice, and we offer local pick up and ship nationwide!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! Every stage of growth presents different challenges to overcome. In the beginning, we struggled to find and afford the right kitchen space, then it was growing our online presence, scaling with no capitol, opening and staffing the store, and just as things started to fall into a rhythm COVID spurred a nationwide glass shortage and challenged our production process in so many ways, more staffing challenges, and the recent Facebook algorithms changes throwing everyone for a loop: we are always problem solving, innovating, and evolving. Growth and change, stress and chaos- they are painful and constant when it comes to growing a small business. We pray for good problems, like – how do we make more?
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve had so many jobs in my life! (Literally 30+) My background is in marketing, graphic/web design and photography. I studied interior design and in a former life, I worked in the music industry. At the time I started OWL, I worked as a private chef and even cooked for Reese Witherspoon! My friends and family may have questioned my sanity, but I think my diverse background and skill set has been the key to my success. In the beginning, I was able to build and grow the business primarily on my own: making the broth, building the website, growing social media, designing the logo, delivering wholesale orders, selling at farmers markets, and managing customer service inquiries. Fast forward to today and I have an amazing team of talented and passionate individuals, and I’m able to grow the business with in-depth understanding and appreciation for every piece of the puzzle.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Find someone you admire, reach out and ask how you can help them and learn as much as you can! Find peers that are doing something ‘better’ than you and ask to grab coffee. Pick their brains. Ask for help. Share your goals and your vision and don’t be afraid to tell people what you need to accomplish them- you never know what could come of it. In my experience, the best way to find help is to offer to be of service.
Pricing:
- Resets $270+
- Broth $22+
Contact Info:
- Email: info@owlvenice.com
- Website: owlvenice.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/owlvenice
- Facebook: facebook.com/owlvenice
