Meet Ilona Kossoff | Founder of 18Chestnuts, Soup connoisseur, Yoga and pilates practicioner, Mom

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

Hi Ilona, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
18 Chestnuts is a passion and purpose driven company. I could not digest food and after yet another unsuccessful doctor consult and medical tests, I decided that I had to find natural solution to my problems. Soups are my favorite food group! I completed Cornel Universtiy Healthy Living Program and learned about plant based diet. I became a yoga instructor, start to meditate and journal. Slowly I was able to reclaim my health with my soups as powerful healing companions, my “secret” weapons. I wanted to share my journey, experience and results with people. I realized quickly, my digestive troubles did not leave me in the minority. In fact, over 70 Million Americans struggle to digest food and women are 3x more likely to experience the symptoms. I wanted to share the gift of my vegan, gluten-free, low sodium and no sugar added unique soups with people to improve thier journey to health as well. I wanted to educate people, to help them, to provide an alternative that was convenient, delicious and environmentally friendly to people and our planet.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
18 Chestnuts Soups is an omni channel, award winning vegan and gluten free ready to eat soup manufacturer.

I started this business after not seeing an exisitng brand on the shelf that offered the attributes our soups do.

We started in farmers markets here in Asheville and after seeing week after week growth in sales, we launched our ecommerce website in April of 2022.

After sales skyrocketed we started selling wholesale to retailers in September of 2022. We forged ahead into major chains at the end of 2023 and are now in over 200 stores across the country.

Despite this success I most enjoy the emails I receive from customers who tell me how our soups have helped their health or the health of a loved one struggling with an illness.

I would like the world to know that this is my passion project. I struggled with my own health and healed myself through plant based nutrition and then set out on an ambitious mission to help others do the same thing.

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?
First of all once I picked up my friend form the airport we would head to Sierra Nevada Brewery for lunch. Then we would head to the outlet mall for some shopping.

Our first dinner would be at Posana as they are a gluten free restaurant with amazing food and service.

The next mornign would start at Bisquit Head and then a tour of Biltmore estate. Beyond the tour of the house their gardens and arboretum and incredible.

Lunch would be on the grounds followed by a wine tasting at Antler Hill.

That eveinng would have dinner at Limones followed by shopping and gallery tours at Momentum and Bender gallery. and dessert at Old Europe.

The next morning would be breakfast at All Day Darling followed by a hike along the Blue RIdge Parkway followed by dinner at Plant. and drinks on the rooftop bar at Hemingways.

As I love to cook we would pepper in some home cooked meals and visits to the amazing cideries like Botanist and Barrel and Bold Rock.

Of course we would also visit the galleries in the river arts distric, have tacos at Duck Taco and see some live shows at Salvage Station, Rabbit Rabbit and the Orange Peel

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My favorite and most used refernce book is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. This book changed my life and taught me to stay in the moment, grounded, appreciative and also, fearless. I had the opportunity to work with trully remarkable people along the way, most notably is Betty Shutton. She is the ray of brilliant sunshine, encouragement, positive attitude and sharp mind. We met in Asheville, about a year ago and she has become one of my most trusted advisors and a supportive friend.
The Chamber of Commmerce in Asheville has provided support and menotrship along the way that blossomed into a network with vasly experienced business people.
My team here in Asheville is trully remarkable, hard working and dedicated to the success for my vision.
Last, but not least important, is my husband Steven. We have been in business for many decades together and he has remained my biggest supporter, advisor, sounding board and so much more.

Website: www.18chestnuts.com

Instagram: instagram.com/18chestnuts

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/84785985/admin/feed/posts/

Twitter: twitter.com/18chestnuts

Facebook: facebook.com/18chestnuts

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@18chestnuts67