Today, we learn more about Oren Epstein and BIO RAW

What is BIO RAW?

BIO RAW aims to eliminate the need to choose between nutrition, convenience, and sustainability. They offer a menu that is nutrient-packed, delicious, convenient, and sustainable. Their goal is to reshape the food system by providing healthy food without harming the planet. By choosing BIO RAW meals, customers support a healthier food system and a more sustainable planet. BIO RAW offers meal plans online and is available in Ontario grocery stores.

What inspired you to launch this?

Living in bustling Toronto, I was constantly disappointed by the lack of quality plant-based food options, whether at grocery stores or for a decent salad. This frustration led to the realization that many others faced the same challenge.

Thus, the idea for BIO RAW was born - a mission to provide nutritious, organic, and convenient meals, filling a gap in the market. I wanted to revolutionize grocery store shelves and ensure everyone has access to nourishing meals for both body and soul.

How did you know you were ready to found a company?

I strongly believed that I was ready to launch BIO RAW due to my unique combination of life experiences and skills. Growing up, I recognized the importance of organic food as both nourishment and preventive medicine, advocating for it from a young age. My previous career, which involved guiding vegan brands from inception to market, provided me with valuable insights into the food industry and consumer preferences.

Observing a clear market gap for truly organic and satisfying salads in Toronto, I felt compelled to act. My negotiation skills and extensive network further convinced me that I was well-suited to address this need with BIO RAW.

What has been the biggest challenge?

One of our biggest challenges has been demonstrating the value of our product to grocery store buyers, especially in a food system saturated with processed and cheap options. We've worked hard to ensure consistent sales and never relied on consignment or guaranteed sales. Our fresh products have a 7-day shelf life, so we've been dedicated to supporting our retailers through in-store demos and community events.

In my first year alone, I conducted hundreds of in-store demos and pop-ups, engaging with the community and spreading the word about our products, whether it was at local yoga studios, BootCamp events, yoga shows, or consumer expos. Our commitment has always been to connect with the community and let as many people as possible sample our products.

What advice do you wish you had received early in your career?

1. Trust Your Gut: Amidst various opinions, trust your instincts as they align with your vision.

2. Remember Your 'Why': Keep your initial purpose in mind to guide you through challenges.

3. Be Authentic: Stand out by being yourself, rather than imitating others.

4. Believe in Yourself: Confidence is crucial; visualize success and dismiss self-doubt.

5. Avoid Comparisons: Focus on your own progress, not others'.

These insights would have made my entrepreneurial journey more aligned with my values and less daunting.

What are the startups within your market that you admire?

Greenhouse Juice Co

Nud Food

Rawcology

Ripe Nutrition

Bruized

All Amazing Organic, Toronto women-founded brands!

Are you hiring?

Yes! Check out our listings on Linkedin or email me at [email protected]

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A Journey of Continuous Learning and Adaptation

In the dynamic world of technology, start-ups are the lifeblood that keeps the industry pulsating with innovation and fresh ideas. But what sets successful start-ups apart from those that fail to make the cut? The answer lies not in the uniqueness of their ideas, but in their ability to learn quickly and incorporate that learning into their vision and strategy.

The Power of Quick Learning

Successful start-ups are not just built on great ideas but on the ability to learn quickly and adapt. They have a long-term vision and a hypothesis on the next steps, but what sets them apart is their speed. They act quicker, learn quicker, and incorporate the learnings rapidly into their business model.

This means they don't just test a product, they validate that the problem they are solving is the largest one possible for their customers. They constantly seek ways to better solve the problem, identify their customers, and position their solutions.

It is not only about the North Star Metric

While having a north star metric is important, successful start-ups understand what influences it. When they encounter unexpected results, they don't just shrug it off. They delve into qualitative analysis to learn from these unexpected outcomes and incorporate the learnings in one of two ways:

1. They make a tactical change to what they are doing.

2. If the learning can lead to a bigger opportunity, they make a large change in the nature of the problem they are solving. This could mean changing the actual problem they are solving, the customer they are solving it for, or the business model they are using.

The Cycle of Continuous Improvement

This process of quick learning, adaptation, and improvement is not a one-time thing. It's a continuous cycle that successful start-ups embrace. This process has resulted in every successful company scaling and incorporating changes for a bigger opportunity than they originally pursued.

Real-life Examples

Take Voiceflow, for instance. They evolved from a choose-your-own story app maker to a WYSIWYG dev tool for voice skills to a collaborative platform to build AI agents. Or consider Planned's evolution from a consumer event marketplace to a platform that optimizes events for enterprises like Amazon. Flexpa's change from creating analytics dashboards to becoming the Plaid for Claims Data is another testament to this process.

The Takeaway

In conclusion, the secret sauce of successful start-ups is their ability to learn quickly and adapt. They are not afraid to change their course if it leads to a bigger opportunity. They are not just builders, but learners and adaptors.

So, if you're a tech enthusiast looking to make your mark in the start-up world, remember that the path to success is paved with continuous learning, quick adaptation, and the courage to seize bigger opportunities.

Be inspired, be innovative, and most importantly, be adaptable.

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