Positively West Virginia
Positively West Virginia
Episode 12: Appalachian Salt-Making Runs in Their Blood: J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works
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Co-founder and CEO, Nancy Bruns

Co-founder and CEO, Nancy Bruns

A 7th generation salt-making family harvests an all-natural salt by hand, from an ancient ocean trapped below the Appalachian Mountains of the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia. One could say salt-making runs in their blood. They are seventh-generation salt-makers, brother and sister Nancy Bruns and Lewis Payne. They share a common love of food, farming and family.

 

 

Their salt is completely organic and naturally derived. They are family owned, and they believe that treating the earth and our environment with care will allow their family and yours to live off the land for many years to come.  They use the power of Mother Nature to produce their salt, and are always looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

They are passionate about their local community of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and will continue to work to support the initiative to encourage West Virginians to eat healthier. Awareness of the land and where our food is sourced is deeply connected to a healthy community.  They donate profits from our farm-to-table event series “Celebrating the Season” to organizations that help this cause. You can read more about the health benefits of eating unrefined salt at Health Radar and Splendid Table.

 

 


Show Notes:

  • 00:31-2:10: Jim introduces J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works, and their Co-founder and CEO, Nancy Bruns and asks her to give some background on her and the company.
  • 2:11-2:41: Bruns talks about her background in the food industry and her inspiration behind creating J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works.
  • 2:42-2:57: Tell us a little bit about the process about how you do make the salt
  • 2:58-4:56: Bruns describes the extensive, 5 to 8-week process that they go through in order to harvest their salt right here in West Virginia. Bruns also goes into the importance of using solar energy and minimizing their footprint as much as possible which creates a cleaner product.
  • 4:57-5:35: What’s your thirty second elevator pitch?
  • 5:36-5:49: “I make salt from a trapped, ancient sea in West Virginia by solar evaporation that is a high-end culinary salt for restaurants and boutique retailers around the country.”
  • 5:50-6:00: What’s one thing that you’re really excited about for your company right now?
  • 6:01-7:01: Bruns says she’s excited for the growth of her company and the partnerships that develop with other West Virginia producers as a result of the growth.
  • 7:02-7:20: In terms of your products, where are they being sold right now?
  • 7:21-8:10: “We have an online e-commerce site as well as we have 600 retailers and restaurants around the country.”
  • 8:11-8:40: Take us to the worst entrepreneurial moment you’ve had in business thus far
  • 8:41-10:13 Bruns goes through the extensive process that it took to figure out how to make the salt they were evaporating taste good and the trial and error they went through in order to do so.
  • 10:14-10:17: What was your one takeaway from that experience?
  • 10:18-10:58: Bruns says that facing challenges is important and you just have to learn to keep trudging on.
  • 10:59-11:24: What would you say is the best thing about being in business in West Virginia?
  • 11:25-12:39: “I feel like I have a whole state of ambassadors around me.” Bruns talks about the overwhelming support she receives from the people of the state and her county especially.
  • 12:40-13:30: Nancy, what would you say is your best business moment?
  • 13:31-16:03: Bruns describes the rapid growth and the nationwide perception that it has received everywhere from right at home in Kenaw county to having famous chefs excited about the product. Seeing her vision she had come to life has been incredible. “My stars have been perfectly aligned.” “It’s a business that has such deep roots in my family and I’m doing work that is meaningful.”  Bruns goes on to say, “I see it as a business that’ll stay in the family for generations to come.”
  • 16:04-16:26: Jim takes a moment to recognize the incredible sponsors of Positively West Virginia
  • 16:27-16:46: What’s the vision for your company long-term?
  • 16:47-17:56: “I see us continuing to grow and increasing our production. Adding more sun-houses, adding more employees and adding more value-added products.’
  • 17:57-18:30: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur thinking about starting their own business?
  • 18:31-20:40: “A lot of people have great ideas, but they never act on them. But I say there is no perfect time, just go for it!”
  • 20:41-20:47: Nancy, what’s one thing you do everyday that you think contributes to your success?
  • 20:48-21:27: “I’m a details person. 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.”
  • 21:28-21:53: What’s one resource you use in your business that you just cannot live without?
  • 21:54-22:40: Bruns mentions their partnership with Mash design and development and their subscription to Dropbox as two resources they greatly utilize.
  • 22:41-22:47: Nancy, what’s one book you’d recommend to aspiring business people in West Virginia?
  • 22:48-24:16: Bruns talks about the Zingerman’s book series about leadership and small business that she’s been reading and how helpful they’ve been for her in realizing the importance of the team aspect with her and her staff.
  • 24:17-24:36: If you could meet anyone in West Virginia, who would it be and why?
  • 24:37-25:34: “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.”
  • 25:35-26:21: In closing, how can our listeners learn more about you and your products and get in contact with you?
  • 26:22-27:00: “Through our website @ www.jqdsalt.com or call us anytime (304) 925-7918 or come by and see us for a tour that are open from mid-April to November to see what we do and learn about us.” You can also check out their social media presence on their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
  • 27:01-Close: Jim thanks Nancy for joining him on another awesome episode of Positively West Virginia and once again thanks the wonderful sponsors that allow the show to happen.