Meet Clare Whetzel | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Clare Whetzel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Clare, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Being stupid and impatient.

Sounds funny but it’s actually true. I was naive going into this, stupid really. I didn’t think about what I was getting myself into but now, a little over a year later, I think that if I had known how much work it would be and such an emotional rollercoaster, I probably would not have started Illegal Oats. And that idea scares me! So I thank God for me missing some IQ points.

The impatience then drove me to keep moving, keep working on it. Especially early on, I was so impatient that I would email someone regarding Illegal Oats and be irritated that they don’t respond for a whole week, then realize that I had just sent the email that morning. My impatience kept me awake at night dreaming about what might come next for Illegal Oats.

You need the stupidity to start, and the impatience to keep going.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Illegal Oats on a whim. There was a moment that is hard to describe, when I saw an announcement for a pitch competition at my university. I read it at the bottom of a school email, which I usually never read. I though “Hmm that’s cool” and kept on to other emails. But the thought stuck with me. Concurrently, I was taking a class in which you mock build a business. It started with pitches for an original idea. loved thinking of ideas, and when I remembered a podcast I had listened to three years prior on cricket farming. I pitched that we could fit powdered insects into everyday staples for a more sustainable form of protein in order reduce our dependency on beef and pork.

I was so obsessed with the idea that I then also pitched it for the pitch competition advertised in my emails. I won! And so the journey began. My early pitch was too ambitious, so I decided to start as a simple granola company then later expand from there. My flavors are chocolate, honey nut, and cranberry orange. That last one was an idea from my aunt! I sold at the farmers market and tried to gain a following of online orders as I moved from remote learning in California, to Colorado at the University of Denver.

People say entrepreneurship is made up of really high highs and really low lows. That is entirely true. From dumpster diving and crying in a fed ex parking lot, to winning multiple pitch competitions and meeting talk show hosts for a live interview, I’d say I’ve had my ups and downs. My most recent “up” has been being a popular vendor at the Highlands Farmers Market and getting onto more and more retail shelves.

Those high and low extremes haven’t stopped. Not a day has gone by that I don’t think about the fact that Illegal Oats could fail, but it’s those times you go back to your why. Why did I start Illegal Oats? To reduce our dependency on meat for protein, we need a source of sustainable protein that is palatable to American culture.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ooh I’d take them to the botanical garden. It’s simple but taking your time walking through it all and noticing the little things is amazing for enjoying the moment and your mental health. Literally smell the roses! Wash park is a great place for people watching especially in the warm months when people play volleyball or even play it yourself!
The Denver area farmers markets are a fun time too. At Highlands Farmers Market there’s live music, food trucks, and vendors of all kinds.
My favorite restaurant in Denver is Root Down. Make sure to make a reservation! Their menu is always changing and always delicious.
I have to recommend one other: True Food Kitchen. Casual restaurant with an option for outside seating. Specifically, I recommend the veggie burger and cobb salad.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have too many people to thank than I could possibly write. First, my parents. They were the first two people I told and they were incredibly supportive. In addition to being such source of encouragement, they even put up with me grinding mealworms in our kitchen! Next I have to thank my professors. It was the first professor I had at the University of Denver that inspired me to pursue Illegal Oats outside the classroom. He and the other entrepreneurship professors have mentored me in starting a business. I recently completed an accelerator with them and they continue to be vital to my success.

Website: https://www.illegaloats.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illegal_oats/