LYNNWOOD — When the fun park was no longer fun, Scott Mackie turned his sights on a whole different game: gourmet sea salt. The president of Sea Salt Superstore LLC, which opened in Everett in 2007 and operates a storefront in Lynnwood, describes his keys to success.
Q: How, or why, did you decide to open your business?
A: My wife Jenny and I had owned Funtasia Fun Park for 16 years and we planned to eventually sell the fun park. We wanted to open an international business that allowed us to travel to exotic places in the world for business and pleasure.
Q: What convinced you that this was the job for you?
A: We felt there was tremendous growth in the gourmet sea salt industry since most people are switching from processed salts to naturally produced gourmet sea salts that taste better and they’re much healthier for your body.
Q: What does it take to blend your passion with your livelihood?
A: You have to love what you’re doing and the passion will come naturally.
Q: What are the crucial elements of success for your business?
A: Finding the highest quality products in the world, great packaging and customer service, attention to detail and the ability to sell your products through different sales channels at a reasonable price.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how did you meet it?
A: Operating Funtasia and starting the Sea Salt Superstore at the same time was a major challenge. I sold Funtasia and my gourmet food business has thrived with the additional focus and available capital.
Q: How did your friends and family react when you told them you were getting into this business?
A: They were very interested, but they also thought I was a little crazy since I had limited industry experience and the economy was in poor shape.
Q: What motivates you?
A: New challenges. To be honest, I was a little bored with the fun park and starting a gourmet food manufacturing company that imported natural products from around the world sounded like a fun challenge.
Q: What personal abilities do you think are needed to excel in this business?
A: The ability to work hard and learn new things, imagination, perseverance, sound business fundamentals, an outgoing personality and adequate capital reserves to grow a business that is a retailer, online retailer and manufacturer that sells our branded gourmet food products lines locally, nationally and internationally.
Q: When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A: We spend time at our summer home in the Lake Chelan area, golfing, boating, cooking, traveling and hanging out with family and friends.
Sea Salt Superstore LLC
WHERE: 19004 Highway 99, Lynnwood
PHONE: 425-640-2100
ONLINE: www.seasaltsuperstore.com
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