Who couldn’t use a bit of motivation to stay inspired throughout the workday?
First up, I’d like you to meet my friend Rachel Hofstetter.
Plus, she talks about all the healthy-living secrets she’s picked up along the way.
Rachel:Hi!
Sent at 12:01 PM on Monday
me:Well hello!
Sent at 12:02 PM on Mondayme:This feels so weird, gchatting on purpose for work.
Someone just came by my desk and I was like, sorry, official gchat happening here.
Rachel:I know, it’s like when the social media people are on Facebook all day.
It’s official!!
Anywho, let’s get started.
How did fruit-flavored water kick Kara’s diet soda habit?
Diet soda definitely fueled that.
Soda and juice weren’t the only problems–they were just an example.
So she told her kids they were going cold turkey on the sugary drinks.
But then her husband said, hey–what about YOUR soda habit?!
me:Ha, the soda police
Rachel:Called out!
Kara knew she’d have to quit cold turkey too.
So they all quit–and were bored to death of water.
And then her kids' friends' parents were calling–where was she buying this mystery drink?
What kinda fruit did she use?
And she was creating a substitute for her diet soda habit.
Whenever she craved it, she had her flavored water instead.
She’d just put it in a pitcher of water and chill for a few hours.
Not a bad way to live!
And it’s pretty.
me:Makes sense.
I think so many people dream of ?doing their own thing?
one daybut not everyone is entrepreneurially minded.
Do you think people are wired that way and some people aren’t, or that anyone can be?
(Although studies prove that some people are more willing to take risks, for example.)
I personally believe it’s about being open.
Open to ideas, opportunities, doing things you’ve never done before.
Then it’s about seeing the world as a series of solvable “problems.”
Do your jeans get ripped when you wear them with flats?
What could solve it?
Or do you better kick your soda habit?
me:And don’t we all love talking about our problems!
That’s such an excellent way to think about it.
Rachel:And then when you think you have a great problem-solution, see if other people like it.
And soon enough, one might be your business.
Sent at 12:29 PM on Monday
Rachel:Hmmm.
Overall, probably getting the word out there.
you oughta have really strong branding.
At its heart, food is a commodity product.
A peanut butter is a peanut butter.
What would make someone choose you over the store brand?
But, on a technical side, shelf life is also a biggie.
me:Shelf life is one of the biggest things that hit me as I was reading.
Some things are easy to make for a dinner party of 10 (pesto!)
Perishable is always harder as you grow.
Another mistake many people make when starting a food business specifically is not looking into regulations ahead of time.
sba.gov has fantastic resources.
Sent at 12:34 PM on Monday
Rachel:Ha!
I live and die by habits.
Those short runs or yoga sessions are “my time.”
I also adore my Fitbit!!
I do a happy dance when I get 10,000 steps each day.
Finally, I’m a big fan of sleep.
It’s the one thing I do that makes everything else easier.
If I don’t get enough sleep, everything else seems more crazed.
It’s worth the extra hour!
me:Tara Stiles does vids!?
I need to check those out immediately.
Rachel:SO GOOD.
Your favorite wine and cheese pairing, go!
Sent at 12:40 PM on Monday
Rachel:Lightening round!!
Sparkling white w/ Cypress Grove truffle tremor (and 34 degrees crackers)!
me:Done and done.
You win gchat today.
Thank you, Rachel!
Rachel:You win too!!
xoxo Sent at 12:44 PM on Monday
Photo Credit: Stephanie Rausser
