From ultra-marathons to urban farming: how to build a resilient startup with Clayton Mooney

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Clayton Mooney, the Co-Founder and Chief Farmer at Clayton Farms, discussing his journey from a small family farm in Iowa to creating a successful indoor farming business. Clayton shares his experience with ultra-marathon training and compares the perseverance required in athletics to that of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of tenacity and grit. He details his career path, including his initial reluctance to return to agriculture and his subsequent ventures like Kinosol, which developed solar food dehydrators for farmers in developing regions. This experience led him to explore the potential of indoor farming as a solution to food security challenges, ultimately resulting in the establishment of Clayton Farms with Co-Founder Danen Pool. Clayton explains the evolution of Clayton Farms from a hydroponic equipment manufacturer and home delivery service to its current model: restaurants with integrated indoor farms, providing fresh salads, wraps, and smoothies. This business pivot not only increased profitability but also expanded their reach, serving over 100,000 people. The conversation delves into the company's future plans, including potential franchising and expansion beyond Iowa, as well as Clayton's personal commitment to mentoring young entrepreneurs and contributing to Iowa's startup ecosystem. Clayton's insights on perseverance, customer obsession, and the importance of mentorship provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating their own journeys. Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/clayton-mooney-vertical-farming-drive-thru