Hi there! I’m Lily Bond, the founder of Spyce Girlz. I’m 20 years old and I started my business, Spyce Girlz, when I was 13 years old. I’ve always been passionate about the world of food and business, so I really found my true calling by “Spycing” up the world of spices!
Many people are doing cool things on campus. What entrepreneurial endeavour are you currently working on?
Spyce Girlz makes better-for-you, better-tasting spice blends that are all-natural, preservative-free, super versatile and tons of fun! We’re offering a more approachable, more accessible, healthier option for consumers looking to make their everyday meals a little more exciting. We started our business selling one product, Taco Seasoning, at farmers’ markets and after generating a large cult following across Ottawa, we now sell to grocery chains, like Farm Boy, across Ontario and are working on chains across Canada. We have been featured on the news multiple times and even made the standby list for Dragon’s Den!
How does interdisciplinary collaboration and/or innovation play a role in your entrepreneurial endeavour?
The wall of spices in grocery stores today is intimidating to the average consumer. Spice blends commonly available in stores are too salty, full of additives, preservatives, and MSG; they are often bland-tasting and uninspiring. The food industry is bustling with innovation but unfortunately, the spice aisle has long been forgotten and dominated by the same large conglomerates, who have been producing uninspired products for years. Cooking an exciting, flavourful meal should be accessible to all and we should not compromise our health due to the use of traditional spice blends. We’re making the world of spices innovative and exciting again!
What impact do you hope to make through your entrepreneurial endeavour?
For so long, the spice aisle has been forgotten and uninspiring, but Spyce Girlz is here to change that. We want to get people excited about food and flavour, and to help make the world of spices less intimidating to the average cook. Spyce Girlz is going to be the next big thing in the food industry, and I see our spice blends as a household name and in kitchens across North America. On a personal level, I want to see more young people pursuing entrepreneurship. I started my journey with Spyce Girlz when I was 13 years old, and it has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I truly believe that if we had more young people starting businesses or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours, we’d have a lot more people out there making an impact, learning more about themselves, and changing the world.
What advice would you give to those who are eager to follow in your entrepreneurial footsteps and make an impact through their own initiatives?
Follow your passion and share your authentic self with the world. This is key advice for business and life. If people can feel your excitement and passion for what you do, they will rally behind you and support you on your journey.
Your nominations
The We Do Cool Stuff series is all about showcasing the inspiring work, projects, and innovations that students, researchers, alumni, faculty and staff are passionately pursuing. We want to share their stories, their journeys, and their visions with our University community and the world. Do you know someone who fits the bill? Send your nomination to: [email protected]