Takeaways from SVP alum Sara Gragnolati M’10
Summer Venture Program alum Sara Gragnolati M’10, founder and CEO of Cocomama Foods, spoke with the 2014 cohort and shared her takeaways from founding venture. Gragnolati has 10+ years of experience in the natural products industry. Cocomama Foods uses ancient grains to create gluten free, nutritious, delicious, on-the-go foods. Gragnolati won the 2010 Douglass Competition, the predecessor of the B.E.T.A. Challenge.
Here are Gragnolati’s main takeaways:
l As an entrepreneur, you may experience highs and lows on same day or might not know what to do for a whole day. No one’s going to motivate you. You have to motivate yourself throughout the process.
l Do not assume things will go well. Anything can happen and go beyond control your control. Always have a plan B for everything.
l Spend money on things that can improve your business.
l Make fundraising a priority. Do not run away from it, be strategic. Apply different methods for different investors. Learn the audience, find the reason investors want to invest, and learn how to persuade them. Pay more attention to what’s going to hold the investor back for investing into your company.
As an entrepreneur, it is important to think about your efficiency, strategy and self-motivation. Gragnolati always had her own action plan ready, and waited for the right time and opportunity. Keep track of activities in your venture and plan ahead. You never know what will come your way.