Founder Spotlight: Chase Worthen (Enliven Foods)
Meet Chase Worthen:
We make eating plants more pleasurable and convenient through products and education. Our first products are a line of 2-minute microwave Muffin Meals that are gourmet and whole-food plant-based.
Location:
Neosho, Missouri, USA
When did you launch the business?
January, 2023
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Startup Stage:
Bootstrapped
What led you to where you are today?
I was diagnosed with IBS as a college freshman in 2007 and found relief from eating lots of fruits and veggies. After college, I worked at Walmart Headquarters and enrolled in Robin Jeep’s culinary nutrition class. This improved my gut health, led to a passion for plants, and helped him get a job as a Buyer in the Natural Health Beverage and Vegan categories for Walmart US.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
It's often more important to make a decision and move forward than to think about it for a long time. If red flags pop up when looking to partner with another person/company, end the relationship before it begins. It's ok to swing big.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
I decided not to quit many times.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I was a Buyer of Natural Health Beverages & Vegan products for Walmart US. I'm open to sharing what I know about selling packaged goods to Walmart.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
I need connections to potential angel investors or sweat equity partners. We are currently seeking seed funding to scale our digital marketing, add new Mug Muffin Meal flavors, launch new product lines, expand to Amazon, and begin selling to physical retailers. We are looking for a digital marketing expert who's willing to work for equity.
Fun fact about you:
I'm also a DJ. I've DJ'd 250+ weddings and events. That's how I support my family while bootstrapping Enliven Foods.
Anything else you would like to share?
My co-founder, Robin Jeep, has so many stories to share! She was a celebrity chef, Joel Fuhrman, MD's first dietary assistant, patient coach, and food formulator, coauthor of "The Super Antioxidant Diet," creator of four whole-food plant-based businesses, formulater of a whole-food, plant-based smoothie line for Walmart, a Whole Foods Marketing Director, and a European princess (no joke).
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