Kris Buchanan received a full ride for field hockey to the University of Iowa and played for 12 years on the US National Field Hockey Team. She’s been to the World Cup 3 times, the Pan American Games 3 times, i’s a 1996 Olympian, is in the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame, the University of Iowa Hall of Fame, and is a Top 50 athlete of the first 50 years.

Kris founded GOODONYA in 2001, when she had 5 locations. In 2010 she created the GOODONYA bar (which is no longer being made) and then in 2014 she started the 1051 minerals and electrolyte drink.

Kris is the very proud owner of the delicious GOODONYA Organic Restaurant in Encinitas.

If you’ve been in a rush to grow your business, you need to read THIS BLOG POST and learn why I believe you should embrace slower business growth.                                          

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

• Michelle introduces Kris Buchanan.
• Kris shares her story of creating her first nutrition bar, and her experience with trying to get it on Whole Foods’ shelves.
• Kris’ passion is food, but she also had to embrace the salesperson lifestyle.
• Kris learned the hard way that in order to land great deals you had to have money and the right connections.
• Kris shares her experience trying to find a co-packer to work with her and her bar.
• It’s important to build a relationship with your manufacturer so that they treat your product right.
• “Nothing is really worth your health.” ~ Kris Buchanan
• Kris had received her “golden ticket” of getting into Whole Foods, but the dream quickly fizzled when they were unable to fulfill the order. She shares the whole story.
• Kris shares her joy of owning GOODONYA restaurant and the mineral drink that they make.
• Michelle & Kris talk about UNFI and the horror stories surrounding the fees they take from businesses.
• Kris shares they are beginning to consider going the direct to consumer route for all of her products.
• “As the founders, you want to protect yourself and the integrity of your product and what’s really important to you.” ~ Kris Buchanan
• Kris talks about her love/hate relationship with Whole Foods.
• Kris shares what she would tell her younger self.

Connect with Kris:

• GOODONYA Organic Restaurant Facebook
• Twitter
• GOODONYA Organic Restaurant Instagram
• 1051 Instagram
• Kris’ Website

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P.S. Slow and steady wins the race! It’s time to learn why slowing your business growth can actually help your business. Read more in THIS BLOG POST!