Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.
Today’s entrepreneur is Yvette Garfield of Handstand Kids Cookbook Company.
When and why did you start your business?
After traveling to India one year and searching high and low for a cookbook to bring back to the younger members of my family teaching them the cultures and cuisines of the village I was in, and then coming up empty handed, I knew I needed to create an educational line of cookbooks that taught children healthy eating habits, the benefits of family togetherness in the kitchen and the importance of giving back to your community.
What do you love about being an entrepreneur?
I get to do what I love and feel most passionate about each and every day. I meet great families all of the time who believe in the same mission I do: healthy eating for the next generation. Being able to take this mission and make it into a reality is why I do what I do.
Describe your business in 20 words or less.
Cookbook company that teaches children the importance of healthy eating habits and the cultures and cuisines of another country.
Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?
I get my inspiration from the food trends that I see in all of the amazing places I’ve traveled to since starting The Handstand Kids. I am mainly inspired by the spirits of the children who are so eager to get into the kitchen and cook with their families. It’s so refreshing to see a shift away from the television, and back into an activity that will instill healthy eating habits for not only themselves, but for future generations to come.
What is your biggest success or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your business?
Devoting time to working with non-profit organizations and charities is what I feel the most proud of. So far, we’ve partnered with the Nothing But Nets Campaign, the Jamie Oliver Foundation, Project FEED, Common Threads, and BBC Children in Need, to name a few. It is our hope to continue these partnerships as we continue to grow.
What advice would you give other entrepreneurs when they are first starting out?
Follow your instinct and get the perspective of as many people as you can: friends and family, strangers, and acquaintances. They will give you a well-rounded idea of the need for your product in the marketplace and your potential target audience.
Where do you see your company in three years?
I see our cookbooks in the hands of every child who wants to learn about the art of healthy eating and cooking, and the way other places around the world are able to incorporate these same habits into their everyday lives.
Do you sell your products wholesale and, if so, what is one strategies that you use to get your products in stores?
Our products are sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, Wal-Mart, and other smaller retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
If you like this interview, Like Handstand Kids Cookbook Company on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
I love the Handstand Cookbooks! I showed my brother my new cookbook and he immediately asked to borrow it for his classroom. My brother’s students loved learning to make food from Italy.