If you were pitching your business on “Shark Tank,” what would you say?
Gomez: I’m a huge fan of a fastpitch, I think hitting all your key points in under three minutes or less is key. Hook them first and then elaborate through their questions after, filling in any other secondary details you may have missed. With that said, If I was pitching HoneyWater, for example, I’d say:
HoneyWater not only hydrates the mind and body, but it also provides the enjoyment of consuming sweet beverages without the health risks of soft drinks. Sweetened with natural honey and infused with real fruit flavors, HoneyWater has a lower glycemic index than drinks sweetened with sugar — honey has vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, B3, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, etc. it also provides probiotics, and antimicrobial/antiseptic properties.
And last, but certainly not least, the bees are dying. If all bees disappeared from the earth, studies estimate that man would only have 4 years left to live. If bee’s become extinct, so does the human race. Through pollinator partnerships and proceed donations HoneyWater is not only working to provide healthy, naturally sweetened beverages but also committed to doing its part to save the world!
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned as a founder?
Gomez: I used to get really worked up internally about what others were saying or thinking about me. When you’re a founder you oftentimes have to be the person that opens up or leads conversations. When you’re young, a woman of color, and opinionated this can rub a lot of people the wrong way, even if what you’re saying is right.
Unfortunately, you’ll be stereotypically typecast (especially as a Latina), as “too much” or “not enough” of everything.
I would often replay in my head a lot of what I said or did in meetings etc., and ask myself, what I could have done or said differently? I now realize the answer to that is, nothing. All I did by doing that was waste my own time which instead could have been used being productive. You learn quickly, you can’t control how other people feel or act. As long as you lead with honesty and kindness, there’s nothing to worry about.
What’s one aspect of your job that you knew nothing about? How did you adapt?
Gomez: In regards to being an entrepreneur, I didn’t truly learn about cap tables, company evaluations, and vesting structures or the specifics of share ownership and their stipulations until I started to diversify and create additional streams of income for myself. I naively thought, oh I own x percent of this company and that’s that until we sell or I decide to step away. That’s definitely not the case! I suggest anyone thinking about investing or starting a partnership educate themselves on the big picture financial aspects of running a business.