Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Laughlin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Susan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Eight and a half years ago, I was pregnant with my first son, Henri, and I had gained sixty pounds! When he was born, he weighed a whopping 7.5 lbs. and I was left with a lot of excess baby weight. On his two year birthday, I was still 30 pounds overweight, and completely uncomfortable in my own skin. My husband and I decided to embark on a paleo lifestyle. Cutting our processed foods and carbs was very difficult for me, as I am from New Jersey and have a deep love of all things breaded. I scoured the grocery stores for a bread crumb alternative that fit with my new lifestyle to no avail. As a self-proclaimed foodie and wannabe chef, I couldn’t find it, so I created it!
Last year, I founded Nut Crumbs, a bread crumb alternative, and it is the FIRST, nut-based bread crumb alternative of its kind, catering to those who want to eat breaded and fried foods without the guilt. We offer Original, Italian, Spicy, and Coconut Curry flavors. All of our products are gluten-free, sugar-free, natural, raw, Paleo, Keto, and Whole30 compliant. Not to mention, they are the perfect bread crumb alternative in any recipe!
We officially launched in August of 2017 and are currently sellin in local San Diego farmers markets, online, and a few specialty stores, including the UTC location of Williams-Sonoma. We have been blown away by the response to our products and are looking to take our brand national so that all our customers can purchase with ease.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve had to pivot along the way many times. The key to being successful is being open to feedback and flexible to evolving along the way. The most difficult thing has been balancing working full time, finishing my MBA, starting my business while being married with three young boys! It really does take a village and I am so thankful for my tribe. My advice to young women starting out would be two-fold. Be prepared to work harder than you ever have in your entire life. Take the time to be thankful and celebrate small milestones along the way, it will help you persevere.
Please tell us about Nut Crumbs.
By day I am the Director of Student Financial Services at a private University in San Diego. My background varies from operations and finance to product development and sales. I’ve been blessed with a diverse professional background where I’ve mostly worked for smaller companies. These roles have allowed me to wear many different hats within start-up organizations, which has really given me the tools to be successful with my own company. I am so proud that Nut Crumbs is a woman-owned company, that started very much as a grassroots approach. I created this company with $5,000 and have been able to sustain growth, thus far through revenues earned by the brand. I was fortunate to have a great idea, but there are so many others with great ideas. The thing that sets me apart is that I moved on that idea, and I continue to endure, day in and day out, even when things get tough. I’ve had many nights filled with tears. I wake up the next morning and keep pushing through!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
During my MBA program, I read the book E-Myth. This book really helped me with the art of delegation and letting go! I’m naturally a technician and I want to be in all the details as a self-proclaimed perfectionist. I believe the quote goes… perfectionism is the enemy of profitability. This book has opened my eyes to my default tendencies and how to capitalize on those, while challenging them, positioning myself and my company for growth!
Pricing:
- $14.99 ea.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nutcrumbs.com
- Phone: 858-255-1577
- Email: susan@nutcrumbs.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nutcrumbs
- Facebook: facebook.com/nutcrumbs
- Twitter: twitter.com/nut_crumbs
- Other: youtube.com/nutcrumbs
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
