‘Crazy journey’ to cereal success
The Cereal Entrepreneur is a book about courage, grit, determination and never giving up on your dream, even when others say it’s not possible.
It’s the story of Kaz Staples who comes from humble beginnings.
Strapped for cash with two babies athomein 1997, she decided to make Christmas cakes out of her home kitchen to sell at the local markets. Twenty-two years later, knowing it was time to let go of her baby she sold the highly successful and sought-after cereal and snack brand, Pure Delish.
We asked Kaz some questions:
What inspired you to write The Cereal Entrepreneur?
Iwas inspired to write this book to get it all down on paper, my crazy journey to be passed on for the future generations. My sons, their children and beyond. Also to close a chapter on my life. To heal and to beat peace with my decisions. And also to help others and to inspire thosewho want more, thosewho wonder if it is possible to follow your dream and make it a reality. Even if it is one person, so cliche but so very true.
Is this a business book, or is it more?
Yes this is a book about my business and howit grew from a market stall to being a well known brand and market leader in the premium cereal space. It covers a lot about the growth, FMCG and themadness. But it is also about a girl who through incredible adversity on somany levels didn’t let it stop her creating and manifesting her dream.
What was it like writing about your life?
Yes it was very difficult at times. Lots of tears, lots and lots of tears. You have to bring it all back up so you can write from the heart. But at the same time it is good for the soul and makes you stop and think about a lot of things. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Whowill benefit from reading The Cereal Entrepreneur?
Anyone who wants to be inspired and knowthat anyone can achieve what they want if they are prepared to fight, work harder than you could ever imagine and not let adversity, health and other obstacles define you. It’s crazy but this is a kind of feel-good book, it has a happy ending in its own way with lots of stuff in between. None of us get away with a life of ease. No one does. But it’s how we deal with these challenges that makes the real difference.
What experience did you most enjoy writing about? What was the most difficult?
I enjoyed writing about my child hood and understanding and taking sometime to understand how this made me who I am. Hard but good. It was also incredible to acknowledge and to realise how much it was all about the people on the journey who really made the difference and who were always my why. Humbling to the core.
The most difficult was the Cluster F*** chapter. Reliving the nightmare that unfolded over a few short years and realising how much my family went through.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
More travel, more laughter, more fun, more abundant energy and health.