Today we’d like to introduce you to Myles Powell.
Hi Myles, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a family environment where food was…everything. It was the centerpiece of our bond. Those laughs. Those smiles. Those fond memories we spent at the dinner table. Asking my mom to pick me up over the oven to see what was cooking… I can still hear the sound of the oven door opening. I specifically remember this photo of me and dad hanging in the kitchen right before he asked me to help him with dinner! These moments are what shaped me into the man I am today. I went to school for civil engineering and graduated in 2012. But then, two weeks into my first FT job, I knew it wasn’t right for me. So I naturally gravitated to my 10×10 apartment kitchen and started cooking to channel the comfort and bond that I shared with my family. Then I started a food blog to express my culinary journey. That landed me in a cooking competition, where I performed HORRIBLY. But my destiny was clear – I belong in the food industry. I went to grad school to pursue my MBA and simultaneously started 8 Myles.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As smooth as a cacti in the desert. Growing a CPG business has but anything but easy. Starting it was the easy part. But learning how to scale a business has been extremely challenging. Cash flow management was critical and we made serious errors in attempting to aggressively grow but being mindful of key KPIs. In addition, branding is an exercise that we did not apply enough resources towards. Early on we were purely product-focused and did not pay enough attention to the true meaning of our brand, which will ultimately drive sales.
As you know, we’re big fans of 8 Myles. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
8 Myles is a comfort food brand bringing families back to the dinner table. We do this with our line of premium, homemade, clean, Mac N Cheese, made with only all real ingredients. While we are a frozen food brand, convenience is not the core benefit. This is comfort food that will provide you the time and the place to strengthen the family bond.
In addition to our product line, I firmly believe that 8 Myles is a representation of true determination, grit, and hustle. I started this brand in 2015 and built it brick by brick (metaphorically) to where it is today. In an environment where instant gratification is commonplace, there is something special about patience in learning and using one’s missteps as motivation to push forward. That’s the journey of 8 Myles.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have only visited Atlanta a handful of times. But there is something about the city that is inspiring. Maybe it’s because it’s the centerpiece of black excellence. The city exhibit such a “go getter” culture, which is such a motivational environment to be a part of.
Don’t let me get started about the food in Atlanta. Talk about incredible! Since I find inspiration within the foods I eat, I feel as though I will always have a soft spot for Atlanta.
Pricing:
- SRP for our Mac N Cheese – $4.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.8myles.com
- Instagram: @8mylesmac
- Facebook: facebook.com/8mylesllc
Image Credits
Image Credit: Rays Photography
