Summary: 

On today’s episode of Elevate Your Career, Nicole chats with Clara Paye, founder and CEO of UNiTE Food. Clara outlines her entrepreneurial journey, initially joining her family’s plumbing distribution business and eventually leading the company. This foundational experience gave her insights into various business facets. Clara’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited when she noticed a gap in the wellness industry, particularly in the protein bar market, leading to the inception of UNiTE Food.

They explore the birth of UNiTE Food, born as it was out of the lack of diverse, culturally rich flavors in wellness products. Clara describes the product development process, which involved experimenting with ingredients in her kitchen and ensuring authenticity and quality. Her company’s mission is to make wellness accessible and appealing to a broader audience, celebrating the diversity of tastes and cultures.

Nicole and Clara also discuss the challenges and strategies of balancing her roles as an entrepreneur and a mother. She believes in being fully present and engaged, whether with her children or at work. Encouraging curiosity and entrepreneurial thinking in her children, she integrates her personal and professional life, fostering a nurturing and learning environment. Looking ahead, Clara remains passionate about creating new and innovative flavors for her protein bars, driven by her curiosity and commitment to bringing diverse culinary experiences to the wellness industry.

Join Nicole and Clara for this fascinating and inspiring conversation!

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The importance of believing in oneself to overcome obstacles and innovate in business.
• The significance of a strong, diverse network and its role in problem-solving and business growth.
• Clara’s journey from contributing to her family’s plumbing business to leading it, and eventually starting her own venture.
• The conception and growth of Unite Foods, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and cultural diversity in product development, especially in the wellness industry.
• Her approach to product creation, driven by personal need and curiosity, as well as methods for identifying and filling gaps in the market.
• And so much more…

Quotes:

“If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. And not in an arrogant way again, more of like a lead by example.” – Clara Paye

“I never set out to run the business. Never my intention.” – Clara Paye

“I think curiosity is a very underrated personality attribute. Because curiosity, if you really think about it, it’s how you keep an open mind.” – Clara Paye

“It’s about finding the right one [network] that fits with you, and where you are at your stage and the people that are part of that network. Do you want? Would you be proud to call them your friends?” – Clara Paye

“Where are the protein bars for people like me, like where’s the Baklava? Where’s the Churro?” – Clara Paye

Resources:

Nicole’s LinkedIn

UNiTE Food

Clara’s LinkedIn

Podcast: