When it comes to summer snacking, there’s one thing that I’m honestly obsessed with: chips!
I love themyellow corn or blue corn, with or without dip, it’s all good.
Did you know that was going to be your thing?
NBD: Well my mom had a health food store in the seventies.
JA: That’s amazing.
Maybe the only thing I was qualified to do.
JA: Did you start the company right out of college?
Tell me about how you got the idea and how you started it.
NBD: Well, I always had it in my head.
Eventually, I went to work with my dad and tried developing products that spoke to me.
So a few years later, around 2001, I was pregnant with my first son.
But they just didnt exist.
I couldnt findanyorganic crackers.
That prompted me to start Late July.
Nicole Bernard Dawes and her boys
JA: Cool.
And how much has the company grown?
Are you still passionate about it?
You have to be different.
So whats your day-to-day like?
Do you have an office?
NBD: Our office previously was on Cape Cod, which is where Im from and where we started.
Then last year we decided to move it to Boston.
In California I work from home.
JA: I would be way too distracted at home.
If theres dishes in the sink or laundry to do, forget it!!
NBD: We have a separate area for our office, so I can stay focused.
And thats something my husband and I actually make a run at do together, because we work together.
When youre an entrepreneur you never stop working.
I dont even understand what the word balance means!
JA: Whats the first thing you do to prepare for the workday?
He kind of forced me to start out each day with my to-do list.
To be honest, getting it all on paper has been totally freeing.
It helps me remember what my real priorities are for the day.
So you really need to get organized much more quickly on the West Coast than the East Coast.
JA: What do you eat for breakfast?
It keeps me full for a while.
JA: Whats your least favorite word people use at work?
NBD: I hate the word alignment.
People say that word all the time.
JA: Hahaha, why do you hate it?
NBD: If somebody tells me theyre going to align on something…I think its a delaying word.
JA: I havent heard that one yet!
Whats your favorite app for work?
NBD: I travel so much, I love all my travel apps.
Just all the different airline apps and, of course, Uber.
I dont know how I would even get any place when I land if it werent for Uber.
And then I love OpenTable.
JA: What do you do to relax?
NBD: Exercisingespecially hiking.
If I dont get outside and exercise during the day, Im a much more stressed out person.
you might do a two-minute or three-minute one.
I dont always have fifteen minutes!
NBD: Oh Ill have to check that out.
JA: Its so radical, right?
Whats your go-to work outfit?
I love Roberta Roller Rabbit tunics, because I can just slip them on.
JA: Whats your favorite music to listen to for motivation?
JA: Creative or analytical?
JA: Relaxed or uptight?
NBD: Probably uptight.____
JA: Formal or casual?
JA: Carnivore or herbivore?
JA: Early riser or night owl?
JA: Prepare or improvise?
JA: Velvet glove or iron fist?
NBD: Velvet glove.
JA: Micromanage or delegate?
NBD: I would say micromanage.
Probably less now than I used to but…
JA: Neat freak or hot mess?
NBD: Oh hot mess.
Definitely not neat freakI wish.
I aspire to be a neat freak.
JA: Thats it.
NBD: Well great.
I love this column ideaI think its so inspiring to get to hear from other women entrepreneurs.
JA: Im glad you enjoyed it, and now youll get to be one of them, lady!
Okay, readers, Ive asked enough questions.
Nows the time for you to ask me: Want to take a big risk at work?
Want some tips to stay motivated while you make a change in your life?
Ask me how on social using #letsbehonest and get some answers!
Photo Credit: The Honest Company
