The Food Means Business Podcast

Making the Transition from Olympian to Food Entrepreneur and Advice for New CPG businesses with Kris Buchanan

February 12, 2024 Djenaba Johnson-Jones Episode 50
Making the Transition from Olympian to Food Entrepreneur and Advice for New CPG businesses with Kris Buchanan
The Food Means Business Podcast
More Info
The Food Means Business Podcast
Making the Transition from Olympian to Food Entrepreneur and Advice for New CPG businesses with Kris Buchanan
Feb 12, 2024 Episode 50
Djenaba Johnson-Jones


In this episode, Kris Buchanan, a former Olympian and founder of nature inspired, organic food and beverage brand, GOODONYA, shares her journey from being an athlete to launching a CPG company. She discusses the challenges that she faced with product development, the importance of understanding the CPG industry, and what it takes to launch your product in a crowded marketplace. 

Kris also highlights the need for unique and well-packaged products in the competitive food industry. She emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients and the impact of food on our health. Kris shares her self-care practices and the joy of connecting with customers through her business. She concludes by offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and celebrating the growth of her company.

[01:23] About Kris’ transition from Olympic athlete to owning five restaurants

[03:37] How she launched the GOODONYA bar, her challenges with product development, and pivoting to producing an electrolyte drink

[09:24] How Kris uses the skills she learned as a member of a field hockey team in her business

[11:45] What it takes to balance owning restaurants and a CPG business

[12:24] Her decision to keep GOODONYA a direct-to-consumer business 

[14:06] About her challenges building a CPG business and her advice to new entrepreneurs

[20:26] About issues with the food industry and nutrition

[23:39] What she does for self-care and how she works to achieve work-life balance

To get more Food Business Bites right in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at thehudsonkitchen.com.

Show Notes


In this episode, Kris Buchanan, a former Olympian and founder of nature inspired, organic food and beverage brand, GOODONYA, shares her journey from being an athlete to launching a CPG company. She discusses the challenges that she faced with product development, the importance of understanding the CPG industry, and what it takes to launch your product in a crowded marketplace. 

Kris also highlights the need for unique and well-packaged products in the competitive food industry. She emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients and the impact of food on our health. Kris shares her self-care practices and the joy of connecting with customers through her business. She concludes by offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and celebrating the growth of her company.

[01:23] About Kris’ transition from Olympic athlete to owning five restaurants

[03:37] How she launched the GOODONYA bar, her challenges with product development, and pivoting to producing an electrolyte drink

[09:24] How Kris uses the skills she learned as a member of a field hockey team in her business

[11:45] What it takes to balance owning restaurants and a CPG business

[12:24] Her decision to keep GOODONYA a direct-to-consumer business 

[14:06] About her challenges building a CPG business and her advice to new entrepreneurs

[20:26] About issues with the food industry and nutrition

[23:39] What she does for self-care and how she works to achieve work-life balance

To get more Food Business Bites right in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at thehudsonkitchen.com.