Founder Spotlight: Nate Littlewood (Urban Leaf)

Nate Littlewood 

Startup:
Urban Leaf

Business Description:

Urban Leaf designs, manufactures and sells edible indoor gardening kits, making it easy for city-dwellers to grow their own food.

Startup Stage:
Bootstrapped

Location:
New York, NY, USA

What led you to where you are today?

I left a career in investment banking in 2015 after what could best be described as a mid-life crisis, of sorts. I wanted to solve real problems, and build something that future generations would be proud of. Urban Leaf exists because we believe that the environmental impact of our food systems represents one of, if not the, biggest challenges our generation faces. We want our kids, and your kids, to live on a happy and healthy planet. By facilitating a relationship that brings people closer to their food, our mission is to motivate, encourage, and inspire healthier and more sustainable food choices.

What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?

That my predictions about when I'd be able to draw a salary from it were about 2.5 years too early! Aside from that, I think it's a lot of fun. What's not to love about waking up every day doing something you're passionate about and solving real problems.

What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with

In our 3-4 years now of working on Urban Leaf, I'd say the biggest competency we have developed is product research, ideation, development and launch. In 2019 we released 8 new products. We know a thing or two about how to get things built.

How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?

Our marketing focus is on CONTENT. We aim to be the internet's leading resource for aspiring indoor and urban gardeners. We are always on the lookout for like-minded brands to collaborate with, do giveaways with, create YouTube videos with, and much more.

Fun fact about you:

I am a #vanlifer. I left NYC in August 2019 in a self-built tiny home on wheels (a Mercedes Sprinter Van) and I spend my spare time hiking, biking, cooking, and connecting with the natural world. It helps keep me grounded, and reminds me what all this hard work is for.