Over the coming weeks we’ll be interviewing each of the eleven finalists taking part in The AIB Start-Up Academy. This week we caught up with Phillip Martin, founder of Blanco Niño, to find out what it’s like to be part of an Irish start-up and the key pieces of advice he has been given so far in his career.
Blanco Niño is a purpose driven Mexican food manufacturer that supports and encourages sustainability in farming at home and abroad.
They do this by creating delicious and highly nutritious natural corn tortillas and tortilla chips.
Based in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, all their products are made from freshly cooked, stone ground, non-GMO corn.
What prompted you to start your business?
I don’t think it was any one thing. It was just always something I wanted to do.
Why did you choose to go into the food industry?
I like food. To me, that seemed as good of a reason as any.
What research did you undertake before starting out?
My initial research was via Youtube and Google.
But once I was satisfied that there was a gap in the market, I jumped on a plane and visited corn farms, corn mills and tortilla factories in Mexico and the United States. While there, I talked to everyone; from the guys working in the fields to the ladies flipping tacos on the street.
I did this for two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to understand everything about the process of cooking truly awesome corn tortillas and tortilla chips, and secondly, because I wanted to embrace Mexico’s rich culinary culture.
What did you do to stand out from the competition?
I just told my story. From the day I first started my first business , ‘Little Ass Burrito Bar’ to the day I walked in to pitch the idea for Blanco Niño.
What is your USP?
All of our products are made with naturally gluten free, non-GMO corn. It is cooked using an ancient Aztec process known as nixtamalization. This involves the corn being stone ground into what is called masa dough. This is how we make our food.
Besides all that, it simply has a delicious and unique taste and smell.
What has been your biggest barrier since starting up Blanco Niño?
This may sounds like a quote from a dated self-help book, but I don’t really see barriers. It was always just stuff I needed to figure out and get done.
If I was pushed, I’d say my biggest barrier was trying to get my head around the whole industry.
But I never felt like there was a road block, just a long to-do list.
What has been the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from my mum. She has always maintained that the harder I work, the luckier I will be.
What has been your greatest moment since starting up?
When I won ‘Best New Idea’ at last year’s ‘Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition.
And your worst?
When I found myself in a dodgy situation in Mexico. It could have gone very badly but it didn’t.
It’s a very long story… but these are the things we do for great tortillas.
What’s the bravest decision you have had to make in business so far?
When I had to close down my first business. It was a pretty terrible time for all involved. But a lot of very hard lessons were learned and although it was painful as hell, I don’t think I’d undo it.
If it didn’t happen, I probably wouldn’t be about to begin producing the worlds most awesome corn tortillas and tortilla chips.
Name three things you have learnt at The AIB Start-Up Academy so far?
- This little country of ours is full of incredible people with fantastic ideas and the passion and the determination to see them through.
- Today, more so than any other point in our history, is an awesome time to start a business.
- I still have a lot to learn.
What three pieces of advice would you give somebody starting off?
- Find great people.
- Communicate.
- Find more great people.
What Fortune 500 company would you MOST like to be in charge of?
Personally, I have zero interest in being in charge of any Fortune 500 company.
However, I’d love to see one of my own companies reach that level some day.
What are your “cheats” or “hacks” for making life easier in the business world?
Templates and mind maps. I literally use mind maps for almost everything.
There’s a great application called MindNode. I’d highly recommend it.
Who would you prefer to face off with in a fight to the death: Bill Gates or Donald Trump? Keep in mind that the winner keeps the loser’s business…
I reckon I could take Don but I’d prefer Bill’s business, so I’ll go with Bill.
