Interview with Ali Bonar– Founder and CEO of Oat Haus.
"My fascination with food was from a place of fear rather than love. It was obsessive, toxic, and stressful."
For many founders, their journey into entrepreneurship starts with passion, a great idea, or the dream of disrupting an industry. But for Ali Bonar, the founder and CEO of Oat Haus, it began with a deeply personal struggle—her battle with multiple eating disorders. Her journey of healing and rediscovery ultimately led her to create Oat Haus, the first-ever oat-based Granola Butter, which is now shaking up the food industry.
What began as a kitchen experiment in 2017 became a business in 2018 when Ali launched Oat Haus online. But it wasn’t just the unique product that set Oat Haus apart—it was Ali’s honest, raw storytelling. Openly sharing her recovery journey on Instagram, she connected deeply with others who had faced similar struggles, building an engaged and loyal community around her brand.
In this episode, Ali talks about the unconventional ways she reached out to retailers and investors, her view on the current state of influencer marketing, and how quick and limited flavor drops drive marketing. We also talk about how being a founder can feel lonely and how Ali navigates prioritizing her mental health as an entrepreneur.
Not only is Ali an incredible entrepreneur, she is an inspiration and role model for many women (including myself). I can’t wait for you guys to hear this one!
You’ll also hear:
Why oats are the perfect neutral canvas for innovative flavors
How Oat Haus transitioned from DTC to major retailers like Whole Foods and Target
Ali’s business and personal goals for the next 5 years
What it means to create work-life balance
Why documenting your journey is a great idea
