When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Well, when life gives you an ancient ocean trapped below the Appalachian Mountains of Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, you start a salt works business. That’s exactly what brother and sister, Nancy Bruns and Lewis Payne, seventh generation salt-makers, did.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works salt is naturally derived and completely organic. Bruns was a guest on the Positively West Virginia Podcast and shared a few pieces of advice she’s lived by since starting the business with her brother.
Don’t be afraid to go for your idea. If you have one, act on it!
Nancy Bruns, owner
“A lot of people have great ideas, but they never act on them,” said Bruns. “But I say there is no perfect time; just go for it!”
If you have a business idea, don’t wait to act on it. West Virginia has many resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners, such as the Small Business Administration.
Through this organization, entrepreneurs and small business owners can apply for funding, as well as other resources that guide you through how to start a business.
Do research before starting your process.
In figuring out how to make their salt works business successful, J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works had to research how the process was done.
“The first salt that we produced was not good,” said Bruns. “We had to learn what was making it taste that way. It ended up being the minerals in the brine.”
“We hired an intern from the University of Charleston to come work with us,” said Bruns. “The calcium percentage was really high, and so we had to learn how to take that out through precipitation.”
Through research, you can see what other people have done, what has worked or not worked for them and hopefully minimize those types of mistakes.
Continue to think about the details and growth of your business.
Starting your business and keeping it going is just the first step. After you’ve done the heavy lifting to propel your business into success, you need to think about how you can grow it.
“I’m a details person,” said Bruns. “I don’t let those important details slip by me. I want to make sure that we’re very consistent on our product and the face that we’re putting forward. You have to be consistent, and you have to be your best everyday.”
J.Q. Dickenson sells their product to high-end restaurants and boutique retailers around the country, as well as to individuals who love to cook. Consistency is key for this business.
Listen to the full J.Q. Dickinson’s podcast.
PWV QUICK BITS | SALT WORKS BUSINESS
- BOOK: Zingerman’s Guide to Good Leader: A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach by Ari Weinzweig
- ADVICE: “A lot of people have great ideas, but they never act on them,” said Bruns. “But I say there is no perfect time; just go for it!”
- PERSON: “One person that I would like to get to know better is our president at WVU, Gordon Gee. I think his vision for the university and its connection to the state is wonderful,” said Bruns.