VBT 045: Interview with Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann from Upton’s Naturals

In this episode I interview Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann from Upton’s Naturals, an independently-owned natural foods company in Chicago that creates meat alternatives using simple, recognizable ingredients. Dan founded the company in 2005, pioneering flavored, wheat-based seitan. Nicole, his life partner, who also owns two yoga studios, came on board in 2010 and now serves as vice-president. The business started off small, operating out of a shared kitchen, and has grown to the point where its products are sold in around 2,000 outlets across the US. Three years ago it moved into a new building and opened Upton’s Breakroom, a café for staff and the public. In 2015, Upton’s launched the first-to-market, seasoned and ready-to-eat jackfruit in the US. Five years ago the company took off the word ‘vegetarian’ from its packaging, leaving ‘vegan’ to do the job of explaining the products’ animal-free status. As well as helping to run Upton’s, along with her yoga studios, Nicole is a founding board member of the Plant Based Foods Association, a newly established trade body representing plant-based alternatives in the marketplace, government, and media. In this interview Nicole and Dan talk about: •    The challenges of starting a company with a business partner •    The benefits of implementing a slow growth plan for your business •    Why Dan turns down offers of investment and chooses to remain the sole owner of the company •    The hands-on strategy likely to get retailers and buyers to remember you •    Why you need to let go of being right when you’re in business •    And much more Visit the Upton’s Naturals website Check out the Plant Based Foods Association Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Veggie Grill Beyond Meat Purple Carrot Wholefoods Market Tofurei More Than Meat The Allotment RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook   Twitter  Instagram  Connect with me personally at: Facebook  Twitter  LinkedIn