Hailey Swartz co-founded Actual Veggies, the first veggie-only burger brand free from preservatives, fillers, and additives, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Prior to founding Actual Veggies, Hailey served as the Product Lead for Alibaba North America, where she established a North American presence for the world’s largest B2B trading platform.
Using her expertise from her time at Alibaba, Hailey has helped Actual Veggies grow rapidly over the past two years, despite launching during the pandemic. Hailey continues to be a female force in an industry dominated by men.
The company will soon be expanding to other retail stores, including Aldi, and will introduce a new variety, called “The Actual Breakfast Burger” later in 2022.

Episode Summary
In this episode, Hailey Swartz talks about the birth, challenges and how they have managed to maintain their image on the market.
After Her co-founder, Jason Rosenbaum had stopped eating meat for health reasons in November, 2019. they met and he told Hailey about the fact that he had stopped eating meat and was really eating a bunch of impossible beyond burgers, but realized that there wasn't really a great veggie burger on the market. This was the exact reason that lead to the birth of Actual Veggies.
Just like any other business, Actual Veggies has its own ups and downs, from finding the right products for their burgers, marketing of the burgers and handling people who want to partner with/ advisors to the company. Despite of all that they have still making their presence visible.
What has really made the business to retain its relevance and image is creating awareness. Hailey Swartz creates awareness by teaching people the health benefits of her veggie burgers through LinkedIn and other social platforms.

“The idea of work and play like the line are blurred”
Snapshots of the Key points from the Episode
[02:29] Hailey talks about what lead to the birth of Actual Veggies
[04:05] Hailey explains the effects of the worldwide pandemic as she ventures into her new business
[05:40] Hailey talks about the impact of her previous occupation that gave her the confidence to venture into entrepreneurship
[07:15] The success of Actual Veggie
[09:53] Hailey proudly discusses about one of her investors, Post Malone management team
[10:37] The important things to focus on as a company founder
[14:19] Hailey Swartz’s superpower
[15:37] Additional ways of building good relationships
[17:47] Hailey talks about the outstanding accomplishments throughout the whole journey
[19:20] Hailey talks about the challenges she have faced and how she worked through them
[21:02] Marketing mistakes are making on LinkedIn.
[23:20] What does working from your happy place means to Hailey
[24:27] Hailey’s advice on how to become a successful entrepreneur and how to source products from Alibaba.

How to Connect with Hailey Swartz:
Instagram Company Profile -https://www.instagram.com/actualveggies/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/haileys924/


About the Host -

Belinda Ellsworth is a Speaker, Trainer, Best-Selling Author, and Podcaster

She has been a professional speaker, mover, and shaker for more than 25 years. Having built three successful companies, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs make better decisions, create successful systems, and build business strategies using her "Four Pillars of Success" system.

Belinda has always had a passion and zest for life with the skill for turning dreams into reality. 

Over the last 20 years, she has been expertly building her speaking and consulting business, Step Into Success.
 

How to Connect with Belinda:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stepintosuccess
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindaellsworth
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stepintosuccess/
Website - www.workfromyourhappyplace.com