You might be surprised to know how a journalism background fueled the popular gluten-free pasta brand Chickapea’s success.
“My real skill was research,” Shelby Taylor, Chickapea Founder and CEO, told me on my podcast, The Irresistible Factor, “and that came from my curiosity and my journalism background. I have no fear of asking all the questions to every person that will listen, and that’s a lot of why it succeeded.”
Together, we dive into Shelby’s story, uncovering what motivated her to launch her product range, and how she became a CEO. Chickpea uses clean ingredients with no additives, and Shelby attributes much of the brand’s success to its unique formula. She tells the story of how Chickapea unexpectedly thrived during the pandemic, and reveals how they continue to differentiate themselves from competitors in the market.
Shelby also shares powerful advice for women entrepreneurs, along with some of the challenges that the company is facing today.
“I think that being naive absolutely worked in my favor,” Shelby said. “I believed everything could be done, and in my timeline. I’ve learned so much. If I ever started something new it would have to be in a completely different industry.”
Listen to The Irresistible Factor’s Interview with Chickapea’s Founder and CEO, Shelby Taylor.
Here’s what you won’t want to miss from our conversation:
- How Shelby Taylor’s understanding of the retailer’s experience supported her distributor process
- Why to separate business success from your identity as an individual
- How to ask questions to gain the most helpful answers from others in the industry
- How Chickapea has grown and appeals to the general population, as well as health-conscious consumers
Links mentioned in this episode: