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

Hi Darian, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started this business because my baby loves oatmeal. I was just looking for a quick and easy way to nourish him. Initially, I had intended for this to be a side hustle, just something I could do on the weekends that would bring extra money for fancy family vacations, and a nicer car. But shortly after applying for my LLC, I was laid off from my cushy corporate job, and two weeks later I found my husband in our home with another woman and immediately put him out. I was in an existential crisis, and acutely depressed, pushed out of control and now free falling into darkness. It’s like holding your own world in your hands, and watching pieces of it blow away every single time you exhale. I didn’t know what else to do. I was being consumed by pain that seemed unfailing. So, my sister’s wife, a therapist, said “you need to find something to focus on, you need a healthy distraction.” I took her advice and I dove into this business. My tribe really stepped up. My son and I created recipes. My friends and I worked on marketing & branding. My sister & best friends helped me buy fruit and equipment. All of these people believed in me. My son thought I had made something so good, that it was worth selling. Previously, I had single handedly made millions of dollars for well-known retailers, so I could definitely do this for myself if I apply all of the things I’ve learned while working in corporate retail. I firmly believe that if I can do something once, then I can do it again multiple times. I’ve started over once before, it worked out in my favor, and this is going to work too, because I’m doing something I love, for the person I love the most. Failure is temporary, and as long as I’ve got God’s Breath of Life, I’ll try again.

What should our readers know about your business?
This is not your basic oatmeal! Our oatmeal is made with love & purpose, and it’s a clean product, just organic oatmeal, fruits & spices. We source high quality ingredients, and focus on flavor. Our goal is to show you the very best of what oatmeal can be. Derrick and I create all of these flavors together. We explore flavors the same way an artist bring color to a canvas. Oatmeal is our canvas. And we’re constantly working on new flavor pairings to see what we can introduce to the world. This small business is my passion, and it’s never easy, but it’s always worth it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. My mentor told me to think of myself as a problem solver who specializes in oatmeal. So, when problems arise, I analyze, dissect, pout, cry, consult and then do whatever it takes to figure out a solution. The company is still small enough to be nimble, learn quickly and adapt. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that change is possible, and failure is temporary just like pain, all you’ve got to do is stay light, and be nimble.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Two of my favorite spots for breakfast are Summerhouse on Music Lane, Phoebe’s Dinner both are located off of Congress Ave, which is a nice area for walking and shopping. For lunch, I like the Po Boys at Country Boyz Fix’n on the east side, Birria Tacos at La Tunita 512, or the Queen Beak from Bird Bird Biscuit. There are endless possibilities for dinner, but I’d make sure that Lutie’s, Comedor and Aba are on the list. Barrett’s Coffee on Lamar or Palomino on the east side are perfect for an latte and a chill atmosphere. If my BFF is staying a week, I would take day trip to Fredericksburg and go on a winery tour, or head south to New Braunfels and rent treehouse by river for the night. I also enjoy hiking and exploring the trails, Twin Falls is really scenic and a relatively easy, perfect for visitors. I’d visit Zilker Botanical gardens, the Barton springs pool and go on a boat tour of Lady Bird Lake. On the weekend I’d taste all of the local fare at the Texas Farmers Markets, specifically Mueller on Sunday. It’s a really nice experience, some of the best makers in the city all in one place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My son Derrick is the reason I started this business. He believed I made something so good, that it was worth sharing with the world, and nothing beats that! I also have a whole tribe of people who love me & believe in me, and they show up in so many ways, whether its lending a hand in the kitchen, picking up a Saturday at the farmers market, sharing their expertise, or driving from California to Illinois because I need a piece of equipment. My tribe has stepped up. Lastly, my grandfather was an entrepreneur, he worked hard to give me life lessons and experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. and he told me that I could be anything I wanted to be, all I had to do was put the best in, and I’d get the best out. And I believed him, so oatmeal mogul it is…

Website: https://oatmealandcompany.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OatmealAndCo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OatmealAndCompany/

Image Credits
Tia Boyd – main photo Karlye Price Yolanda Nagy

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