Meet Tania Posternak & Sydney Zetune | Founders, SMÜTH Butters

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tania Posternak & Sydney Zetune and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tania & Sydney, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
For a long time, both Sydney and I had talked about starting our own business and doing something we were both passionate about. We both had been working traditional jobs, with long hours and a lot of work travel. From the early stages of recipe testing to formally founding SMÜTH Butters, one of our main motivations as a women-owned business was to have more work-life balance by having more control over our time, especially as we became working mothers.

While growing SMÜTH came with a bigger responsibility since it’s our own business, for us the balance came not necessarily in working less hours, but having the ability to manage at what times we work and plan around our family time. This has been especially true as the past year has brought about many changes, especially with the pandemic. I had my first baby last October and Sydney has a toddler and a newborn at home. We have been able find that work-life balance by leaning on each other to best share and distribute responsibilities while still being mindful of each other’s need to take some time while having a newborn.

What should our readers know about your business?
SMÜTH Butters is a Los Angeles based, women-owned almond butter company. We craft our almond butters in small batches with the highest quality 100% non-GMO ingredients and superfoods. Unlike many nut butters in the market, our almond butters are made without added oils, refined sugars or artificial ingredients. As an eco-conscious brand, our butters are made with sustainably grown almonds that minimize water waste and we source many of our ingredients from local farmers.

We currently have two delicious flavors: our Honey Amaranth is slightly sweetened with raw honey and has puffed amaranth, an ancient grain and a complete source of gluten-free, vegan protein that gives it a unique crunchy texture. Our Superseeds flavor is for those looking for something more savory and includes a trio of seeds: sesame seeds, flaxseeds and chia seeds.

Starting a company a few months before the pandemic began has definitely presented its challenges. We originally planned to start selling at various farmer’s markets around LA, but when Safer at Home was implemented, we quickly decided to pivot our business model to retail. Getting small businesses to take in a new product was very challenging and came across a lot of no’s, but we have learned to trust that we have a good product and the importance of being persistent. We are very proud of having created an almond butter that our customers truly love and come back for and for being able to stay true to our mission of offering a clean, natural, nutrient-rich almond butter. We are very excited to continue growing our presence in Los Angeles, most recently at SunLife Organics locations!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA has so much to offer that you can snow ski at Big Bear and go to the beach on the same day during winter. On the Westside, love a good a hike at Temescal Canyon Trail or Los Leones for great ocean and city views, sunset at Roger’s Park Beach, a burger at Father’s office in Santa Monica, and sushi or ramen in Sawtelle. Can’t miss The Broad Museum and exploring what’s new at the Art’s District. Oh and during summer months, a concert at the Hollywood Bowl is a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, we want to thank our husbands, Daniel and Eduardo for the continued love, support and encouragement to keep going.

We also want to thank all the small businesses who have believed in us and taken in our product, specially during these difficult times.

Website: www.smuthbutters.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/smuthbutters

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

Other: Email: contact@smuthbutters.com