Female Disruptors: “Do what you do best and farm out the rest.” with Shelby Taylor

Do what you do best and farm out the rest. I was actually taught this before starting the business and it has really served me well. The time and frustration spent on doing tasks that are not in my wheelhouse or skill set, is time I could be spending on doing what I do best and growing the business. A lot of people think they can’t afford help, but often we can’t afford to not have help. I was actually taught this before starting the business and it has really served me well. The time and frustration spent on doing tasks that are not in my wheelhouse or skill set, is time I could be spending on doing what I do best and growing the business. A lot of people think they can’t afford help, but often we can’t afford to not have help.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Shelby Taylor. Her company officially launched in 2016 with a leading organic, specialty food distributor, Neal Brothers Foods. Less than a year later, Chickapea expanded into the US with its line of short pasta, which is currently sold in nearly 3,000 stores across North America. In 2018, Chickapea then broadened their offering with another healthified family staple: mac ’n’ cheese, which includes a vegan option. But commercial success isn’t enough for Shelby. Outside of Chickapea products being good for you (organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, high in protein, fiber and iron), Shelby wants her company to be a force for good. Inspired by her two little sons who “remind her everyday what is truly important in life,” Shelby believes it’s Chickapea’s duty to set a positive example for her community and the world. When it comes to manufacturing, that means supporting sustainable farming practices and meeting B Corp stipulations. For the community, that means investing in the right programs. Even in the early days, when they couldn’t afford a cash…