Bubble Goods - Five Minutes with the Founder of Seed & Shell

Meet Denise, founder of Seed & Shell—the first to bring real pistachio butter to the market! Their mission is to inspire you to Think Green through our sustainability efforts and deliciously healthy, naturally green pistachio nut butter.

 
Q: How did you start Seed and Shell?
A: I started Seed and Shell because I was looking for a more filling, lower-calorie nut butter than what was currently available, like peanut or almond butter. I’ve always loved pistachios, so that’s where the idea came from. The name Seed and Shell represents the seed and shell of a pistachio, but it also symbolizes personal growth—breaking free from limiting beliefs.

Q: Is Seed and Shell your full-time focus, or is it a side hustle?
A: It’s a side hustle for now, but I hope to take it full-time. I started out in a commercial kitchen in Chicago, working after my day job and selling at local farmers markets. It’s been rewarding to see the growth, and I hope to turn it into a national brand.

Q: How have you funded the business? Is it self-funded or have you raised outside capital?
A: It’s fully bootstrapped by me, with some help from friends and family. We’re generating more revenue over time and reinvesting it back into the company. I’m currently looking for investors to help support further growth.

Q: Did you handle the branding yourself, or did you work with a branding agency?

A: I’ve done all the branding myself, including the name and our mission, “Think Green,” which ties into plant-based eating and sustainability. As we grow, I’m planning a rebrand this fall, working with a packaging designer to support new SKUs we’re launching.

Q: Do you see Seed and Shell expanding beyond jarred nut butters?

A: Yes, we’re working on new SKUs for the fall, including different formats and flavors. I can’t share too much yet, but we’ll have new packaging and exciting spins on our original pistachio butter.