This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Nikki Seaman, the 29-year-old, Atlanta, Georgia-based entrepreneur behind olive brand Freestyle Snacks. Learn more about her business journey, here. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Freestyle Snacks. Nikki Seaman.

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What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
I was on an externship from my management consulting job at Bain & Co, leading special projects at Whisps Cheese Crisps.

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
The idea of Freestyle Snacks came about in 2021. I found inspiration during the pandemic, as olive bars in grocery stores shut down, and I was forced to get my olive fix from the traditional olive aisle. The "eyeballs" in a jar just weren't cutting it for me in terms of quality and convenience. So I decided to create an easier, more enjoyable way to eat olives.

Related: They Started a Side Hustle Producing an 'Obvious' Food Item. It Hit $300,000 Monthly Revenue Fast — On Track for Over $20 Million in 2025.

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How much money/investment did it take to launch?
I started by focusing on consumer data. I lived in Mintel reports, and I ran a bunch of surveys to pressure-test if there was real demand. I would stand in the olive aisle at the grocery store and interview olive-lovers about their preferences. After calling over 200 co-packers, I was able to find a partner to bring my vision for Freestyle Snacks to life. Including our packaging........

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