
Meet Seth Goldstein, the 29-Year-Old Entrepreneur Behind Ancient Crunch, a Company Revolutionizing the Chip Industry
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Seth Goldstein, co-founder of Ancient Crunch, a company that has taken the chip industry by storm with its innovative brands MASA and Vandy. With a remarkable growth story, Goldstein shares his journey, from the initial inspiration to the current success, and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
In a recent interview, Seth Goldstein, the 29-year-old entrepreneur behind Ancient Crunch, shared his story of how he turned a side hustle into a successful business. Goldstein, who was a vice president at a private equity fund focused on fast-growing healthcare businesses, started Ancient Crunch with his co-founder Steven Rofrano in 2022. The company has since become a major player in the chip industry, with its brands MASA and Vandy gaining popularity among consumers. But what inspired Goldstein to start this business, and how did he manage to achieve such rapid growth?
The Inspiration Behind Ancient Crunch
According to Goldstein, the idea for Ancient Crunch was born out of a conversation with his co-founder Steven Rofrano. Rofrano had made fun of Goldstein for eating Tostitos, which led to a discussion about the ingredients used in traditional chips. This conversation sparked an interest in creating a healthier alternative, and soon, Goldstein and Rofrano started working on their own chip brand. They invested $250,000 of their own money to launch the business and have since raised $14 million in funding.
Key Steps to Launching the Business
So, what were some of the key steps Goldstein took to launch Ancient Crunch? He explains that they started by developing a unique product that would stand out in the market. They also focused on building a strong online presence, which has been crucial to their success. Goldstein notes that they have always known that happy customers are essential to a strong business, but they didn’t appreciate the importance of latent demand until they started selling their products. Some of the key highlights of their journey include:
* Developing a unique product that uses beef tallow for frying
* Building a strong online presence through email marketing and subscriptions
* Raising $14 million in funding to support growth
* Expanding their product line to include new flavors and brands
Challenges and Surprises
As with any business, Goldstein and Rofrano faced their fair share of challenges. One of the biggest surprises was the difficulty of finding a factory that could meet their production needs. They eventually decided to build their own factory, which has been a game-changer for the business. Goldstein also notes that they have always needed more money than they thought, and fundraising has been an ongoing process. Some of the challenges they faced include:
* Finding a factory that could meet their production needs
* Building their own factory to ensure quality control
* Managing rapid growth and expanding their team
* Balancing the need for funding with the need for control and autonomy
Overcoming Obstacles
Despite the challenges, Goldstein and Rofrano have been able to overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable success. One instance where something went very wrong was when their potato chip line, Vandy Crisps, sold too well, and they had to go out of stock for three weeks. However, they were able to recover by working longer hours, investing in new equipment, and optimizing their production process. Goldstein notes that this experience taught them the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges and having a flexible business plan.
Growth and Revenue
So, how has Ancient Crunch performed in terms of growth and revenue? Goldstein reports that they saw consistent monthly revenue from day one, although they were not initially profitable. They started with $30,000 per month in revenue and have since grown to $10 million in annual revenue. Their goal for the next year is to reach $250 million in revenue, which is an ambitious but achievable target given their current growth rate. Some of the key revenue milestones include:
* $30,000 per month in initial revenue
* $10 million in annual revenue in the first year
* $250 million in projected annual revenue for the next year
A Typical Day for Goldstein
As the co-founder of a rapidly growing business, Goldstein’s day is always busy. He works around 50 hours per week, with a block of calls from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and emails to respond to outside of that time. His role involves wearing many hats, from fundraising to optimizing landing page conversions. Despite the demands of his role, Goldstein enjoys seeing his product gain cultural standing and being a bestselling product at major retailers.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
What advice does Goldstein have for aspiring entrepreneurs? He suggests making something that people want and then putting it in front of as many people as possible. He also emphasizes the importance of starting with a problem or a need in the market, rather than just trying to start a business. Some of the key takeaways from his experience include:
* Identify a need or problem in the market
* Create a unique solution that meets that need
* Focus on building a strong online presence
* Be prepared to adapt and overcome obstacles
Conclusion:
Seth Goldstein’s story is an inspiring example of how a side hustle can turn into a successful business. With his co-founder Steven Rofrano, he has built Ancient Crunch into a major player in the chip industry, with a unique product and a strong online presence. Their journey is a testament to the power of innovation and hard work, and their advice offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. As the business continues to grow and expand, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for Ancient Crunch.
Keywords:
* Seth Goldstein
* Ancient Crunch
* MASA
* Vandy
* Chip industry
* Entrepreneurship
* Side hustle
* Startup
* Business growth
* Revenue
* Funding
* Online presence
* Marketing
* Branding
Hashtags:
* #AncientCrunch
* #Entrepreneurship
* #SideHustle
* #Startup
* #BusinessGrowth
* #Revenue
* #Funding
* #OnlinePresence
* #Marketing
* #Branding
* #ChipIndustry
* #Innovation
* #SuccessStory
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