Becky DeYoung wanted to start a home-based business. When I asked her if she had a mentor she told me, “I don’t consider people as mentors but as guardian angels above and here on Earth. My mom’s sister Suzie died in 2004. She was so full of life, and we had a very unique bond. For years—whenever I shared my dream of starting this business she would always say, “Send it out to the Universe. If you want something bad enough to happen in your life, it will happen.â€? I have felt her in my home, and look at pictures of her for guidance. Her picture sits next to my office computer so she can watch over my business and keep me moving forward. I have met powerful women in business during my journey. They support me 120% and tell me I’m doing this business for all the right reasons. I consider them my guardian angels here on Earth.”
Michelle: Describe your business and what inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
BECKY: My husband and I have a gourmet spice business with one very unique blend. DeYoung’s Fore Seasons is a combination of 18 robust herbs and spices. My cousin Greg Watson, who owns a successful wholesale wicker business here in Michigan, suggested marketing the blend. Mark and I thought “WHY NOT?� We could get the business started in our spare time while working full time jobs. Mark and I were newly married, energetic, and wanted to provide financial security for our future. Mark was a chef, tired of the long hours, working nights and every weekend. I was a sales rep for a national deli line. The long commute and lack of family time was making me miserable. We dreamed of being our own bosses, writing our own schedules, and making money for ourselves.
Michelle: You replied to my blog with your inspiring story. How did you get to where you are today?
BECKY: I have been working since the age of 11 when I was a caddie on a local golf course. I enjoyed the challenge of proving myself against my male counterparts. I even received a caddie scholarship to pay for my college education. The spice business had a similar pattern. I felt challenged by the males in the retail world as well as my own family. At my dad’s 70th birthday party in 1997, he said his life was complete because all three of his boys made more than $40,000.00 a year. I was making 35,000 at the time and my sister was upper management at GM (making a lot more than me) but that didn’t count. My dad worked his whole life in the male dominated world of GM. He didn’t relate well women. Subconsciously, I always wanted to prove myself to him. Unfortunately, he came down with Alzheimer’s in 2004 and remains in a local nursing home. I know he would be proud of me today.
Michelle: Did you encounter any challenges because you are a woman?
BECKY: I have been in the retail grocery business for over 15 years. Men always had a problem with women with titles. Being a woman vendor is even tougher. When I started visiting stores in 2005, a similar product had hit the shelves two weeks earlier. The creator was an older man with a reputation in the restaurant business. Thankfully, I had already built some strong relationships with my old career. Retailers learned it was my own personal product and gave me a chance. I looked at the other product as healthy competition. And after one year the first product disappeared off the shelves and DeYoung’s Fore Seasons is still around!
Michelle: Describe your transition from having a job to entrepreneur?
BECKY: After quitting my full-time career in 2005, I worked diligently on the business for 18 months. I found another job locally in July 2006. I was back to juggling a full time job, the spice business, two boys, a puppy, a husband who suffers from four herniated discs in his back, a dad with Alzheimer’s in a nursing home, a handicap mother living alone, etc… I was getting stretched too thin, and had to restructure my priorities. Now, I spend as much time as possible on my family first and spice the business draws a close second.
Michelle: How do you juggle being a wife/mom/entrepreneur?
BECKY: I consider my responsibilities more like hours of operation. My average day begins at 4:30 a.m. The Internet never sleeps (thank God for technology). I check and answer emails, website usage reports, and look for possible avenues of marketing. My boys wake up between 6-7 a.m. They have pretty mellow mornings allowing me to work until lunch. Then, it is outside for the rest of the day. Store visits and finding new accounts are done on Mark’s day off. My weekends are saved for trade shows or festivals.
Michelle: What tips can you give people who want to embrace their dream but don’t have the confidence or feel they don’t have what it takes to succeed?
BECKY: The best tip is to follow your gut instinct and believe in yourself. Who else is going to? Everyone always wants to dwell on the negative. Life on this Earth is too short to work in dead end jobs or careers that make you miserable. “Rome was not built in a day� and “money really doesn’t grow on trees�. Wow, I never thought I’d reference my parents’ answers I heard for years.
Michelle: Any words of wisdom for people who don’t know what they want to do, or where to begin?
BECKY: I knew nothing about website design or business in general. Through hours of Internet research and tutorials I taught myself. I joined a small Internet group called BuyMichiganProducts.com supporting Michigan’s small businesses. We were in a trade show when I met a counselor from Michigan State University’s Product Center. They help agricultural entrepreneurs develop their businesses utilizing all the resources of the university. For small nominal fees a Product Center client can access any services from the business plan process to dietary services. Since joining the Center, I have gotten a better understanding of what I really want out of life with this product. I wish every state had a service like ours in place.
Michelle: What is unique or special about your business that gives it an edge over your competitors?
BECKY: I feel I have more heartfelt reasons for success over national competitors. I am a small business without a lot of overhead, and believe in building customers for life-not the almighty dollar. I do trade shows and festivals to get samples in the mouths of a captive audience. It also helps putting a face behind the blend. Being 6’1, out spoken, and large framed- I’m not soon forgotten. We put our heart and soul into every package of blend. After just 2 years, we are in over 50 stores throughout Michigan and online purchasing coast to coast.
Michelle: Have you noticed certain advantages to being a female entrepreneur?
BECKY: Minority or woman owned businesses have better chances for government funding. My success has been two-fold. Women love supporting a woman building a business for her children, and Michiganders love supporting small Michigan based companies.
Michelle: What have you done to attract the media?
BECKY: When I began this business in 2005, I contacted everybody. I emailed every morning radio show, local TV stations, hometown newspapers, etc… Oprah probably wonders what happened to me. For almost 6 months I emailed her daily. I gave packages of our blend to friends and family to start handing out. Through dedication and basic annoyance, we have been mentioned on three radio stations, had six cooking segments on local TV shows, three newspaper articles, and of course the Internet. I emailed celebrity chefs and cooking instructors trying to find someone to try our blend. I wanted an objective opinion of our blend. One instructor didn’t care for the dry spices and preferred fresh. The next answer was from a food editor in North Carolina who enjoyed the blend tremendously. He wrote two separate articles that were on MSNBC affiliates’ food pages. The orders came pouring in from coast to coast.
Michelle: What ways have you found to be most effective to increase sales?
BECKY: Trade shows, Shipshewana on the Road, and of course Select Michigan. I travel around Michigan, Ohio, and soon to be Indiana. Customers are able to look, smell, and taste our blend. I follow up with researching meat or gourmet markets in those cities traveled. This way, I get people to buy the blend and have local retailers sell the refills.
For more information visit www.deyoungsforeseasons.com
QUOTE:
“Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.”
~Maya Angelou
Book to add to your collection:
Zero Limits: The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace, and More
By Joe Vitale & Ihaleakala Hew Len
You may recall seeing Joe Vitale in the runaway hit movie, “The Secret.” Joe was once homeless. Now, he’s the millionaire author of numerous best-selling books, an Internet celebrity, and online marketing phenomenon. His new book reveals the ancient Hawaiian prayer helped him personally find unlimited success.
“I’m sorry
Please forgive me
I Love you
Thank you”
20 Responses to “Guardian Angels Watch Over This Business”
Leave a Reply
June 18th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Michelle Anton is an inspiration to women everywhere. Her blogs, her talent, her skill are unsurpassed in empowering women to fully give it their all. She interviews others with great insight but HER story, too, is well-worth writing about. Please, Michelle, shine that spotlight on YOU–you are remarkable as a woman, a businesswoman, an entreprenuer and a mother.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
[…] Weekend Entrepreneur: Becky DeYoung wanted to start a home-based business. When I asked her if she had a mentor she told me, “I don’t consider people as mentors but as guardian angels above and here on Earth. My mom’s sister Suzie died in 2004. She was so full of life, and we had a very unique bond. For years—whenever I shared my dream of starting this business she would always say, “Send it out to the Universe. If you want something bad enough to happen in your life, it will happen.â€? I have felt her in my home, and look at pictures of her for guidance. Her picture sits next to my office computer so she can watch over my business and keep me moving forward. I have met powerful women in business during my journey. They support me 120% and tell me I’m doing this business for all the right reasons. I consider them my guardian angels here on Earth.â€? […]
June 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I have had the honor of both working with Becky DeYoung and being a customer. She is the consumate professional, and has a personality that resonates with her customers. Her spice blend is awesome and versatile. Having a great product, a drive to succeed and a great marketing plan have all contributed to her success. As a final comment, Becky lives what she preaches. She is a great supporter of other Michigan food companies, especially those that are woman-owned. I have seen her promoting the products of the vendors on either side of her at trade shows when the other vendors have needed a break. She doesn’t see them as competition but understands that the success of other small Michigan food companies helps her in the long run. Way to go, Becky! Together we can have a huge impact!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I know Becky personally….she is always the biggest cheerleader for her product. Even when the going gets tough she always comes back with her next best idea or push! She is quite a go-getter and to be admired.
Terrie Lynema
June 26th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Great story…what a hard working woman!
Continued success Becky!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I loved reading this article about Becky DeYoung. She has a positive spirit who truly believes in her product. I would buy her spice just based on her story and passion. She makes me want to use it!
June 26th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Becky, your work is inspiring! Here in the MI Dept. of Agriculture we love to hear of Michigan folks doing so well. You are an example to many just dreaming of taking that first step. Select MI will help you on your way…dms
June 26th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I read about Becky’s spices on-line, bought some, and have enjoyed them for the past couple of years. Becky and I have corresponded, and her plate is full beyond my comprehension. I don’t understand how she makes room for her very full life life. She deserves every bit of success she achieves - and I hope she soars. Becky is one of the good “guys”, and calls me her favorite Texan.
June 26th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Great article and a great spice!
June 26th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I know Becky personally and I admire her strength and balance in life. She is hardworking and always presses forward during tough times. Becky is a mother who is dedicated to her family yet has a unique business sense about her. Becky treats her customers as if they were family. Once you deal with Becky there is no forgetting her or her forgetting you. She is one of the kind. The Spice blend is spectacular. Anytime the DeYoung’s were having a BBQ, we were over there chowing down because of all the great recepies made with the “DeYoung’s Foreseasons”.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
What an inspirational story. Thank you for Becky for sharing so much of yourself to show women everywhere that their dreams can come true! You WILL be a tremendous success!
June 27th, 2007 at 4:31 am
I have known Becky for 2 years now and have been using DeYoungs Fore Seasons Spice Blend regularly at home and on the road. I have also been in booths at shows and events with Becky where we are cooking up a storm, passing out free samples of fish, duck, venison, pheasant or hamburger, all seasoned with this great spice blend. Once someone gets a taste of something cooked with DeYoungs they came back for more and almost always get some to take home.
I am a big supporter of DeYoungs Fore Seasons Spice Blend and can attest to the fact that they have poured their heart and soal into the the success of this fine product. I enjoyed the interview and hope this helps lead you to your spot with Oprah! Get yours today, you’ll be glad you did…
Kevin Speer
Michigan’s Hooks and Bullets Magazine
June 28th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Becky DeYoung is truly a “Made-in Michigan” kinda gal. She stayed true to her dream and made many people happy. Her dry rub spices are wonderful. All the best in her future.
June 29th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Becky DeYoung proves in this article that she is not only a sharp business-woman but a dedicated wife and Mother. I too have had the pleasure of working with her, but I didn’t know her whole story, until now. She is an inspiration to men and women everywhere.
David Marinac
President
ABC Packaging Direct
StandUpPouches.net
June 29th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Becky is an amazing woman. I am one of those DJ’s that she contacted, and I feel really inspired by her. She has a great product, she works so hard to get the word out…and she a wonderful person. She is a reflection of what her product is….a perfect blend! All the best to you Becky!
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Meeting Becky is something you will never forget. If you try her spice you will never quit using it! The two of those things together make an unforgetable combination.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:59 am
I met Becky when she was doing a demo at Krogers - not only did I love DeYoungs Fore Seasons but I loved talking to Becky. She has the remarkable ability of making you feel like a friend after talking with her for five minutes. Becky’s fine spirit is an example for all who meet her. Her next marketing project should be to figure out how to bottle her engery so we can all buy some!
July 7th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Hi
Great interview.
Regarding Zero Limits, Dr Joe Vitale did the Foreword to my book “The Titus Concept Money For My Best and Highest Good” and Dr Hew Len also endorsed it.
They are both simply great individuals!
With Joe Vitale’s talents and Dr Len’s insights their new book “Zero Limits� is an amazing book!!
Al Diaz
www.thetitusconcept.com
July 13th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Becky has been a great supporter of the Product Center. She is a true Entrepreneur always working hard to build her business and marketing opportunities.
If all clients could be as good as Becky in paving the road to independence. Michigan has a great example. Good luck.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:11 am
I have tried Becky’s spices and love them! I know there are a lot of seasoning products in retail stores, but her product really has a unique flavor that stands above the rest.
Good luck Becky! You deserve success and I hope to see you on Oprah someday!