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Tasting Self Employment
Kristen Moffatt is the Owner of Wasatch Nectar in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wasatch Nectar is an energy supplement made from Utah raw honey and enhanced with electrolytes. It’s locally sourced honey, and locally packaged. It makes the ideal athletic fuel, but also makes a great addition to any snack!
When and why did you join the NASE?
I found out about NASE when searching for business grants and have found their resources for small business owners to be very helpful!
What inspired you to enter your current field?
I was inspired to start Wasatch Nectar during my own search for a healthy nutrition fuel. Being a dietitian and athlete, I frequently visit with athletes who are also searching for a healthy alternative to traditional energy gels. I got the idea to make a honey based athletic fuel while doing my own backyard beekeeping! Afterall, raw honey has many supposed medicinal health properties, trace vitamins and minerals, and most importantly, its unique sugar profile makes it the perfect instant energy source for the working muscles. I was determined to find a way to enhance it with electrolytes and package it so I could carry it with me on my bike rides and other outdoor adventures.
When and why did you start your business?
I started the business in 2016, but did not start selling product until 2018.
I have always been interested in starting my own food business, and love the idea of creating a unique, and valuable product. I saw a need for a healthier alternative to many of the energy gels on the markets, and wanted to create one that has added health benefits. This was a product I wanted to use myself and also to offer as a solution for the many other athletes looking for a nutrition fuel that will be easy to digest, while offering additional health benefits.
How do you market your business?
Marketing is certainly an area I’m currently focusing on. I try to use social media, and some online advertising. Being present in the community has been my main way of advertising. I take part in local farmer’s markets and local races, which gives me an opportunity to personally engage with my customers, something that is very important to me!
What challenges have you faced in your business?
I could honestly write a full book on this topic (and maybe I will someday)! Packaging the product has actually been the biggest challenge by far. It turns out, packaging raw honey is not an easy task, even for some advanced packaging facilities. It’s very surprising the amount of detail that goes into actually getting the raw materials delivered, mixed up, and packaged. It sounds much easier than it actually is!
The next major challenge I face is finding buyers for my product. You can have a perfect product, but without having adequate distribution and enough customers, you cannot grow your business. This is an area I am currently working really hard on since it’s critical for staying in business.
Do you have any employees?
I do not have any employees but do get help from great friends! I would absolutely love to hire on staff members and look forward to the day that I can!
Can you tell us about your schedule and what a typical day is like for you?
I work full time at the University of Utah hospital as a clinical dietitian and am also in graduate school at the University of Utah, working towards my master’s in nutrition. My weekends, evenings, and any days off, I’m working from home on Wasatch Nectar. Some weekends or evenings are spent at events to help promote my products, such as local races or markets. Currently I have very little free time, but know that this unmanageable schedule will be short term and that ultimately all my hard work will pay off. It helps that I’m very passionate about nutrition and Wasatch Nectar. If I wasn’t, I would not be able to keep going with this over-packed schedule.
What’s the best thing about being self-employed?
The best thing about being self-employed is the number of things you are forced into learning. Sometimes you learn the hard way, but you always come out stronger and more knowledgeable. The skills and information I have gained since starting my business, I would have not learned any other way.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a client?
The best compliments are from customers who tell me how much they love using Wasatch Nectar, especially from athletes who use it and see improvements in their athletic performance. Afterall, this is the reason I initially created this product. Hearing positive feedback on how the customer loves and appreciates having this product will never get old! It makes all the hard work more than worth it!
What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to someone starting their own business?
To not give up! There have been countless times when giving up seems like the best answer, but this would be too easy and is a decision I would always regret. Just remember the reason you wanted to do it in the first place and do not forget about the “wins” along the way, whether they are big or small!
Which NASE member benefit is most important to you?
The ones I utilize the most are the weekly videos, which are short and to the point. The topics are often very helpful. They have many resources available to help the self-employed, so if I am ever looking for an answer, I can be sure to find it through NASE.
Any other information you would like to share?
If you haven’t tried Wasatch Nectar yet, give it a go! It’s delicious and nutritional! You do not need to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits of raw honey. The convenient on-the-go packet makes it the perfect addition to any snack or beverage. You can find Wasatch Nectar at your local CVS location. Make sure to check out WasatchNectar.com to find a location near you. Otherwise, we can ship it to you. Our website and Amazon are also easy ways to try it out!