We recently connected with Anthanet Smiley /Nettie Boo Pickles and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthanet , thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

When you are in Business sometimes you are challenged to take a risk. Whether the risk is big or small you pray the adjustment is successful. This past January, after seeking help from others with little or no response, I invested in myself and paid to attend a Candied fruit class. This class provided a wealth of knowledge about my craft. The investment has already paid for itself and allowed me to add new items to my Menu.

Newly added items are Candy pickles, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, and candy apples.

Tonya Carmel Delights is a new item created in memory of my Late cousin Tonya Barber-Griffin. She encouraged and inspired me to make Homemade Carmel apples and Grapes before she passed away.

Anthanet , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Anthanet Smiley the proud Owner of Nettie Boo Pickles. I am a native of Fort Worth, Texas where I currently reside.

I got into the Pickle Industry after I attended a Baby Shower, and Kool-Aid pickles were one of the treats at the Shower. I loved the taste of them, it inspired me to immediately get into the lab & mix up flavors. That’s where my love for Kool-Aid pickles began. The products that I provide are mouthwatering Kool-Aid pickles, pineapple, peaches, and various specialty items.

What I’m most proud of brand wise is that Nettie Boo Pickles won Best Kool-Aid pickles and Pineapples for the 2020 Fort Worth Business Awards. Winning the Business Awards was a huge accomplishment for me. I was also nominated again in 2021. The winner will be revealed next month August 2022. I’m excited about this upcoming event.

What I want potential customers and followers to know about my work is that I take pride in my business and brand. I aim to please every customer if given the chance to do so. I take great measures in operating my business with excellence. Customer service is important to me, especially being a Black Female Business Owner.

What sets me apart from others is that my products will savor & tickle your taste buds. It only takes one person to taste your product and love it, from there it’s a domino effect. When a customer has an encounter with my product, the first response is about the flavor in every bite. I’m also not your ordinary Kool-Aid Pickle Lady. My goal is to make your Taste buds Dance. When a Customer starts singing or dancing after tasting my products, “I say Mission accomplished”! Lol

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media which has been my biggest asset including word of mouth. Both resources have been a blessing for my business and the best highlight is that they are both free. My advice for anyone that is just starting out trying to build their social media presence is to share, share, share, and stay the course. I promote my business at all times to keep my business name in the atmosphere. I remind myself often of the meme that says “MOST OF YOUR SUPPORT WILL PROBABLY COME FROM STRANGERS”. I encourage myself to keep pushing despite the obstacles that may come.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What helped me build my reputation within my market. It’s a compilation of small things rolled into one that’s helped my Pickle business. Customer service goes a long way. If a customer is not satisfied, I go above and beyond to make things right. When people hear the name Nettie Boo Pickles they will be able to say she is professional, has a good product, stands out from the rest of her competitors, offers reasonable prices, and most of all her customer service is superb.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: pickledivanet
• Facebook: Nettie Boo Pickles

Image Credits
Credits for photos Tootie Lee Asya Lee