Ladies We Love is a monthly interview series with women from around the world that provide us with inspiration through their travels and personal stories. This month we got to know the entrepreneur and businesswomen Jamie Snydel of Simplified Superfoods and mHERchant giving project.
1) Jamie, please introduce yourself to our readers? What do you do? Where are you from?
(a very enthusiastic) HELLO! I’m Jamie, founder of Simplified Superfoods AND mHERchant giving project (ie #shegivesback) – two polar opposite organizations that magically intertwined my obsessions ;) Born and raised in (the suburbs of) Chicago and currently reside in the West Loop neighborhood but spend most of my waking hours at Soho House.
2) You created Simplified Superfoods from your kitchen, could you tell us more about this and what inspired you to create it?
Have you ever opened your pantry to pull our ingredients for a smoothie only to be overwhelmed AF by all the potions and powders?! That was me. I knew that smoothies were the BEST way to pack nutrients into my bod first thing in the morning, but the process to make the damn thing seemed overwhelming. So, I solved the problem for myself, and it snowballed from there!
3) What is one piece of advice you would give to our readers who want to start their own company?
Oy. How much time do we have?! My advice would be to trust your gut and cut out the noise. I spent (past tense!) a lot of time comparing myself to similar businesses, assuming they were more successful, had more customers, better websites, etc. The comparison (temporarily) robbed me of my joy around building a business that I feel so enthusiastic about. Its absolutely beneficial to ask for advice/help and know what your competition is doing, but don’t let it determine the fate of YOUR business.
4) What is your favorite smoothie recipe?
Just one?! When I need something SUPER fast, but also hella delicious, I reach for our peanut butter/cacao/flax blend and add 1/2 a banana and some almond milk. Protein, fiber, fat, AND convenience.
5) What piece of advice would you give to our readers who are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Educate yourself. There is SO much information out there and quite frankly, it’s hard to trust a lot of it. Make decisions for YOU – based on your needs and your knowledge or at the very least make sure your sources are trustworthy and ethical. Also, start small. Whether its nutrition or exercise, making modest changes helps you keep the consistency which is key to living in balance.
6) You pride yourself in giving back and created mHERchant giving project, could you tell us more about this project?
Of course! When I started Simplified Superfoods, I realized there weren’t very many (transparent) resources that educated small business owners on the most cost-effective way to process credit cards. I was introduced by a mutual friend to the founder of Merchant Giving Project who changed all that.
He was helping business owners understand the necessary fees AND donating (on their behalf) to charity so that they could market a ‘give back’ program to their customers. I felt so strongly about what he was doing, that I asked to help create a division that focused solely on female business owners and donated exclusively to charities that benefit women and children… and so, mHERchant giving project was born!
7) How can our readers get involved?
Great question! If you’re a business owner (or know someone who is) let’s connect [email protected] (note: if you’re not a female-founded business – reach out anyways! We can connect you with our parent company).
8) Could you tell us about some of the charities you have worked with?
Most of our charities are Chicago based, and three that are near and dear to my heart are Purple Asparagus (educates children about nutrition), Imerman Angels (cancer support community) and Streetwise (provides resources to homeless determined to get back on their feet).
9) Now for a few fun questions, what is your favorite quote?
‘How you do anything is how you everything’ Whether its a relationship with a friend, a love interest, my nutrition and exercise regimen or my businesses, I want to approach everything with intent, appreciation, and grace.
10) Tell us a fun fact about yourself?
I can’t remember the last time I watched more than 60 minutes of TV in a week.
Read More Ladies We Love Interviews
- Ladies We Love: Ariel of Thyme & Caramel
- Ladies We Love: Alexis Jones of I Am That Girl
- Ladies We Love: Asha Daya of Girl Talk HQ
- Ladies We Love: Zanna van Dijk
Connect With Jamie Snydel
mHERchant | Simplified Superfoods | Instagram
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