Goodr Inc. is the Blazer winner of the Social Impact category in the Atlanta Inno Fire Awards, a program highlighting companies that showcase Atlanta's growth into a national tech hub.
Food waste solution company Goodr opened up a new headquarters in West Midtown and reached a milestone of 3 million pounds of food diverted from landfills.
Founded in 2017, Goodr also an app that allows restaurants and event venues to deliver surplus food to a facility that can distribute it to those who need it. CEO Jasmine Crowe was one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 honorees in 2019. The company has a goal of bringing 35 new jobs to Atlanta thanks to a $8 million raise in June.
Atlanta Inno spoke with CEO Jasmine Crowe about the company's growth.
How has your company navigated its operations during this current economic climate when investors are pulling back and some are making layoffs?
Focused on the basics that have allowed us to grow through all other challenges — capital efficiency, being a helper and making an impact. The current climate has increased the need for so many, and we're focused on doing our part to fill the gap — scaling operations to fulfill that need while also being mindful of rising costs.
Based on your experience, what would be your best advice to up and coming or aspiring entrepreneurs?
Goodr was a passion project born from my desire to solve a problem I had been tackling on a personal level for several years. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay purposeful in your creation and implementation, seek advice from mentors you respect and remain true to yourself and your founding mission. Focus on a problem that you feel deeply connected to/committed to. The journey of an entrepreneur is full of ups and downs, and it takes true commitment to solving a problem to keep you going through it all.
What are you doing to distinguish yourself from others in the same industry?
I don’t consider others within my industry as competition. I am too focused on the mission that set me on this journey. As the need for hunger relief grows, my energy is directed towards making sure that Goodr continues to meet the moment. We recently participated in a Capitol Hill day of action attended by members of both the private and public sector in support of the Food Donation Improvement Act. Many of those participants work within our industry. We are all trying to solve the same problem. I think it is going to take all of us, working together whenever possible, to affect real change.
What was the toughest decision you ever had to make in order to accelerate growth for your company?
Learning to turn down opportunities that may seem good but ultimately aren’t mission aligned — whether that’s with hiring, investors, partners, etc.
What’s next for your company?
Our recent Series A raise will enable Goodr to onboard new team members, increase scale, launch new food waste and hunger relief products, expand our logistics capabilities, and grow into new markets. In the face of unprecedented inflation, we are grateful to be able to say that.
This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
