Meet Jeff Tedmori | CEO & Founder, E-Fish

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Tedmori and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Southern California. I used to go fishing as a young teenager constantly. It was my absolute favorite thing to do. The thing was, I hated eating fish. So I would go fishing in the summer, only to come back with fresh tuna and dorado to give away to friends and family. My parents sat me down and explained that if I were going to kill these fish, I had to respect them and actually eat them too. When I tried the fish, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t “fishy” at all! I had an epiphany – I didn’t hate fish, I just had never tried fish that was actually fresh! This moment as a young teenager was transformative. Not only did I gain a greater respect for living animals and everything I decide to hunt/catch, but it planted a seed in my head to figure out why all the fish I had eaten up until this point had tasted so terrible.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
E-Fish is a seasonal and sustainable seafood distributor, connecting the best chefs in America to the freshest specialty seafood on the planet. We only sell whatever is currently swimming in the ocean, so you know it’s fresh.

It’s been incredibly hard launching a business the last few years. From COVID shutdowns during our first year in business to recessions and price increases across the board, every bit of our success has been earned with blood sweat and tears.

The key learning for us is that success comes to those who survive long enough to see it. It’s not always your first or even fifth idea. It might not even be the idea that’s wrong, it may be the timing and the economic environment. There’s so many factors, but if you stay alive, listen to your customers (even if there’s only a few), then the opportunities will present themselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would force them to get up at 5AM and go check out one of the coolest unknown fish markets in California. I can’t give up the specifics, but if you want to go see one of the oldest open-air fish markets in California, shoot me and email and I’d be happy to show you around.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Bianca! My wife and I met all the way back in high school and we’ve been by each others’ sides ever since. Every up and down of the entrepreneurial journey, but also every step of the last 15 years of my life (which is half my life!). I couldn’t have achieved what I’ve achieved without her.

Website: www.e-fish.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/efish_co/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreytedmori/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwDg0mb7wrIFGuEPQ9DxyhA

Image Credits
Photo credit: E-Fish