Watch: 5 Founders Share the Best — and Worst — Advice They’ve Received

When starting a business, the only thing that may be more valuable than capital is advice. Fortunately for the natural food industry, the market is saturated with both.

But just as not all capital is beneficial for your brand, not all advice will suit your ultimate goals either. So how do you decide when to just listen or when to listen and act?

During this year’s Natural Products Expo West, the NOSH team sought out five natural food founders, from newcomers to seasoned vets, to get the low-down on the best — and worst — advice they have ever received. Here’s what they had to say.

MATT CLIFFORD

Co-founder and COO of Barnana

LOREN BRILL

Founder and CEO of Sweet Loren’s

JUSTIN HAVLICK

Founder and president of Duke’s Meats

KATLIN SMITH

Founder and CEO of Simple Mills

KEN PLASSE

CEO of Fishpeople Seafood