Founder Spotlight: Dixie Grace (Dixie Grace's Boiled Peanuts)
Meet Dixie Grace
Dixie Grace’s Boiled Peanuts is dedicated to bringing the unique taste and health benefits of boiled peanuts to a wider audience. Our mission is to revolutionize snacking with clean, plant-based protein options that cater to modern, health-conscious consumers.
Location:
Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA
When did you launch the business?
2022
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Startup Stage?
Seed stage - We have a few small investors, and for 2025, we will be selling online and in retailers.
What led you to where you are today?
I actually used to be a planning engineer for big companies like Boeing and General Electric, working on incredible projects like nuclear power plants and skyscrapers. But everything changed when I stumbled upon boiled peanuts on a road trip - and after seeing how people absolutely loved them at local farmer’s markets, I just knew I had to share them with the world! It was like catching lightning in a bottle, so I followed my gut and turned this wonderful discovery into a business!
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
Having previous experience in starting a small business, I quickly realized that building a company of this magnitude requires far more time and resources than you expect - having a solid plan and a financial cushion to get through the early stages is crucial. I also learned that strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and your own team are just as important as having a great product or service. It’s something I’ve experienced before, but it’s definitely a lesson that every founder can benefit from revisiting!
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
The toughest decision was definitely taking the leap to hire the right team to help me take the business to the next level - and realizing I couldn’t do everything myself! It was a bit scary at first, but looking back, I’m so glad I made the decision. Sometimes you just have to trust the process and know that growth and achieving the vision you have for your business means bringing in the right people.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I’m excited to connect with fellow founders in the VEGPRENEUR community, share my journey and offer advice from my experience building a business. I’m passionate about helping others and am ecstatic to share my love for boiled peanuts while learning from incredible entrepreneurs around me! Let’s grow and support each other together!
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
I’d love for the VEGPRENEUR community to help spread the love of boiled peanuts and raise brand awareness for this unique snack. I’m also eager to connect with fellow entrepreneurs who can offer insights from their experience scaling a business and/or navigating new markets. If you’re interested in collaborating or sharing ideas, I’m all for supporting one another and making amazing things happen!
Fun fact about you:
A fun fact about me? I’m a super proud dog mom to my sweet fur baby, Claudia, who is almost always by my side! She even travels with me and sometimes even makes cameo appearances in meetings! The joy in her eyes when she looks at me is priceless - hands down the best part of my day.
Anything else you would like to share?
To all my fellow founders out there - you are AMAZING, so keep going strong! The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that while the picture may change each day, the direction always stays forward. Don’t get distracted by the bumps along the way - what matters most is that we keep moving forward, knowing that we have what it takes to make it all work out! Keep at it, and things will fall into place!
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