Founder Spotlight: Heather Donaldson (Mad Cheese)
Meet Heather Donaldson:
We create, produce, and sell artisan, plant-based cheese and charcuterie.
Location:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
When did you launch the business?
2021
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Startup Stage:
In between Growth and Established with the beginnings of Expansion.
What led you to where you are today?
My husband and I wanted to do more to help the environment and decided that eating a plant-based diet was the most impactful thing we could do as individuals. We really missed good cheese and charcuterie, and what started as a small hobby at home turned into a business with a commercial kitchen and more recently a retail store.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
I wish I had known how quickly the business would grow and how important it was to have a clear direction of where and how I wanted it to grow.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
Saying no to Whole Foods in the first year of the business. It seemed like such a big opportunity and at the time I was the only person working for the business (making and packaging the products, delivering, social media, etc.).
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I would be happy to share any information, advice, or experiences with anyone starting out in food production. I knew nothing about food production when I started Mad Cheese and it was a steep learning curve.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
I would love to work with a mentor!
Fun fact about you:
For over a decade, I had an art studio and sold my original artwork through galleries.
Anything else you would like to share?
At Mad Cheese, we strive to help more people eat more plants, more often!
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