Hidden Gems: Meet Lexi Roberson of Smarty Oats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexi Roberson.

Hi Lexi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I came up with the idea of Smarty Oats in November 2022. I always wanted to do something in the health and wellness industry. When I gave a speech on the importance of breakfast for college students in my public speaking class at Arizona State University, I came up with the idea of selling prepackaged protein overnight oats. In my speech, I included a couple of quick and easy breakfast options that would be good for busy college students on the go, with overnight oats being one of them. The feedback was overwhelming, and everyone seemed super interested. That’s when I started researching the product and curating the perfect overnight oats recipes in my home kitchen. I got where I am today by doing lots of online research, going out of my comfort zone, becoming involved in my community, and with the love and support of my friends and family.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I had to face initially was how to start a business and get all the licensing I needed. I overcame this challenge by doing lots and lots of research online and talking with my professors at ASU. Another challenge I look back on and laugh at now was when I was creating my packaging in Photoshop. Before starting Smarty Oats, I hadn’t used Photoshop since my high school Photoshop class, so I had yet to learn what I was doing. I watched many YouTube videos and Photoshop tutorials. Looking back, I laugh at how that was one of my biggest stressors and how it taught me that patience is key and not to take myself too seriously.

As you know, we’re big fans of Smarty Oats. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
Smarty Oats specializes in prepackaged protein overnight oats. Our products are gluten-free and vegan to accommodate everyone and their dietary needs. Something that sets us apart from others is we have a superfood blend included in our recipe. That way, our customers get in their protein, fruits, and veggies first thing in the morning to ensure enough energy to get through the day. Another aspect of our brand that sets us apart is we are involved in our community. Being a student at ASU and learning about the ongoing issue of college student food insecurity, we wanted to get involved and help make a difference. That is why Smarty Oats has partnered with Pitchfork Pantry, a student-led food pantry that serves ASU students, by donating 1 packet for every box (5 packs) that is sold. Making a difference in our community is very important to us as a brand, and we will always strive to help others in any way we can. Lastly, our Jar of the Month is something new that we started in August. Each month, we release a limited amount of custom-designed mason jars so our customers can have something special and unique to eat their Smarty Oats.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
One quality that is most important to my success with Smarty Oats is self-discipline and patience. One thing that having good self-discipline has helped me with is staying organized. For example, I set weekly goals to keep up with my tasks and actively work towards my goals for the brand. I’ve had a couple of times when I get excited and rush things, resulting in minor mistakes. That is where I learned that slow and steady wins the race, especially when creating a product.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.smartyoats.store
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartyoats/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090988539598&mibextid=LQQJ4d