🌿 Welcome to another episode of the Plant Based On Fire pod! 🌿

🍫🌱 Today, Bryan interviews Katie Lefkowitz, the founder and CEO of Harken Sweets. Katie shares her journey from being a Snickers fanatic to creating a plant-based candy bar following a colon cancer diagnosis. Harken Sweets uses date-based caramel and oat chocolate to offer a healthier alternative to traditional candy bars.

📈👥 Katie discusses the challenges of scaling production, the importance of persistence, and the positive consumer feedback that fuels her passion. She also touches on future innovations and the role of strategic partnerships in her business growth.

🗣 In This Episode, We Cover:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:21 Inspiration and Journey to Create Harkin Sweets

04:40 The Benefits of Dates in Plant-Based Candy Bars

06:02 The Importance of Fiber in Candy Bars

07:04 Finding the Balance Between Health and Taste

08:37 Consumer Feedback and Response

10:40 Differentiating in a Competitive Landscape

11:42 Challenges in Scaling and Overcoming Them

14:05 Successful Marketing Strategies

16:20 Key Leadership Lessons and Challenges

18:59 Challenges in the Chocolate Confectionery Space

19:28 The Power of Consumer Support

21:18 Future Products and Innovations

22:39 Advice for Starting a Plant-Based Business

24:39 The Future of Harkin Sweets and How to Support

26:04 Conclusion and Keep the Fire Burning

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🔗 Useful Links:

Social Media:

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/harkensweets/

Website: https://harkensweets.com/

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