The World's Greatest Donut Experience - Holey Grail Donuts (Full Episode 209)
Channel: Startup to Storefront
Date: 02/05/2023

Donuts are a stale $40 billion industry, but one company is breathing new life into the vocation.

Holey Grail Donuts began its pilgrimage as a burger truck in Kauai, but it wasn’t long until they developed a cult following around their taro donuts.

Fast forward to today and they just raised $9M in funding to open a bunch of shops in LA, and they’ve even garnished investments from Christopher Kostow and Tony Hawk.

Part of what makes eating their donuts a religious experience is the fact that they’re freshly made with each order, and the unique flavors they offer can only come as a result of divine inspiration.

Today we talk with Holey Grail Donuts co-founder, Nile, about:
 - Making fresh donuts in his hotel room just before one of the most important pitches of his career
 - Taking a leap of faith in rapidly expanding their locations
 - Why there’s nothing unique from one small donut shop to the next

#entrepreneurship  #businessinterview #podcast #podcasts #startup #startupcompany #losangeles #donuts #holygrail #donutshop #taro #donutlovers 

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🪑 Sundays Furniture:
https://aspireiq.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=8192&aff_id=40582 

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🍩 🏆 Holey Grail Donuts Social Media:
Website: https://www.holeygraildonuts.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holeygraildonuts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holeygrail

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🎙️ Startup to Storefront Social Media: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startuptostorefront/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startuptostorefront
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-to-storefront/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/startuptostore
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67EyhF5DGLPucswOrS7LhK?si=IUPguzApRm6nnhlIHUBJxQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startup-to-storefront/id1477095646 
Website: https://www.startuptostorefront.com/

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😎 Our Team:
Diego Torres-Palma: https://www.instagram.com/diego_ventures/
Nick Conrad: https://www.instagram.com/nickgconrad/
Lexi Jameson: https://www.instagram.com/lexijamesonyt/
Owen Cappellini: https://www.instagram.com/owencapp/

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🎵 Our Music:
https://www.instagram.com/doubletouchofficial/

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⏱️ Timecodes:
00:00 Holey Grail Donuts Intro
00:55 Holey Grail Donuts Explained
2:!5 The Donut Dominator
3:41 Why Taro Donuts?
4:11 Do you have any formal food training?
4:37 Starting the Holey Grail Donut Truck
5:21 Burgers on the Weekdays, Donuts on the Weekends
6:29 Developing a Cult Following in Hawaii
7:40 Changing the menu every week
8:56 When did you seek investors?
9:56 Convincing an Investor with a 12-Hour Donut
10:44 Completely Unprepared for the Biggest Pitch Yet
11:52 What did you tell the investors?
12:55 One bite, and were they in?
13:49 How did you value Holey Grail Donuts?
14:20 The first location in LA
15:01 The Big Educational Leap
16:24 Gluten-free and vegan?
16:55 Owning the supply chain
17:41 Third Wave Coffee, But Donuts
18:55 Sundays Furniture 
19:25 How did you come up with the name: Holey Grail Donuts?
20:44 Plans for Rapid Expansion
21:13 Why a Donut Shop in Cambodia Just Makes Sense
22:51 What will your food truck look like?
23:37 Tony Hawk is On Board!
24:19 What do the next 5 years look like?
25:10 Blue Bottle's Signature Coffee Powder
25:51 This Drink Program is a True Blessing
27:30 How much is Holey Grail Donuts?
27:58 Chef Donut Collabs
29:31 The Holey (Grail) Taste Test
30:40 Is 4 Minutes a Deal Breaker?
31:06 A Donut Robot!?
31:37 Donut Output to the Max
31:58 Raising Capital for Holey Grail Donuts
32:31 Follow Holey Grail Donuts!