We were lucky to catch up with Eduardo Andrade recently and have shared our conversation below.
Eduardo, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from overcoming obstacles as a leader throughout my life and the fortitude instilled in me by my mother. Coming to the United States as a 1st generation immigrant comes with many difficulties but it also creates great opportunities to grow from to reach your full potential. It gave me a determination where failure was never going to be an option in my mind, and that if I did it was going to be a moment of reflection and growth that would launch toward my next endeavor. Whether it was for running countless years to get an athletic scholarship for track and cross country so I would have a education, becoming one of the youngest Student Body Presidents at my university, working for elected officials across the state to fulfill my vocation of public service, or starting a business with my family, I’ve always pushed myself hard in order to build the resilience needed to be a good leader.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am excited for more folks to find out about the Carolina Eggnog Company and our fantastic product that continues to gain popularity as more customers get to taste it each year. Carolina Eggnog is a home crafted recipe with roots going back to our native country of Panama. The recipe goes back decades when my mother started making it as a teenager and has stayed in the family ever since. It became a family tradition to make it every holiday season and many family members and friends would eagerly await our eggnog each year. The way eggnog is made in Latin America is different than in North America so folks couldn’t get enough of the rich and creamy texture our eggnog provided. Having a variety of fresh ingredients that leaves one wanting to take another sip each time. It got to the point that we would have dozens of friends and family members who wanted several bottles at a time and were willing to buy them if necessary. With no one providing the quality and taste we had to offer we decided to start our business and start selling it to the wider public. Based in Mount Holly, North Carolina, our family created this small business in the hopes that whenever you open a bottle it can be shared with your family and friends.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Our family started the Carolina Eggnog Company from the ground up. My mother came to me a few years ago with the idea of starting this business and I wholeheartedly supported her and told her we would make it a reality because I believed in our product and the effect it had on people when they tried it. We had no investors, we used our own family funds to make it happen because we wanted to make it a family business and it will always be that way. My Dad and I worked for months on turning our old grange into a complete processing facility that was inspected and approved by the state agriculture department. Every step of the way we’ve had to learn new skills and overcome obstacles in order to make our business a success and thankfully we have continued to steadily grow and gain a loyal following. Even now as we gear up for what will be our biggest holiday season yet and will make more eggnog than we have ever made before, we know there will be difficulties and growing pains. Though it will all be worth it and only make us better business owners as we continue to grow and expand over the coming months and years. Belief, resilience and determination are crucial when starting a small business and navigating the ups and downs that come with it.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Our number one obstacle is folks thinking our eggnog is the same old milky eggnog that they’ve tried during the holidays for years. Something I always enjoy about selling our eggnog is when we are giving away free samples at holiday markets. Especially to the folks who say they hate eggnog or do not enjoy it. It has happened more times than I can count. Someone will come to our booth with their spouse or friend who actually enjoys eggnog and how it knocks them off their feet by how good and unique our eggnog tastes from what they’ve had before. They then turn to their friend, spouse or family member and urge them to try it as well. There is always push back with them saying “I hate eggnog” or ” I know I won’t like” and that’s when I urge them as well and promise they won’t be disappointed if they just take one sip. They reluctantly take a sip and that’s where the magic happens. Their entire face changes and one can see the spark in their eyes as they try to figure out what this sweet beverage is they just tasted. Then they start asking questions and wanting the whole story of how our product is made and why it tastes so different from eggnog they’ve tried before. By the end of it they always end up buying a bottle or two as well and leaving pleasantly surprised by the discovery they just made. Free samples have been key to making sure folks know how different our eggnog truly is.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarolinaeggnogcompany/profilecard/?igsh=ZHQ1NGV6NGJia29r
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551383532051&mibextid=LQQJ4d
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