Introduction

Kyle and Amy Nehring are the founders behind Teton Valley Brands, a fast-growing Idaho-based snack company known for its premium potato chips and commitment to showcasing the heritage of Idaho agriculture.

Their entrepreneurial journey began with a simple but powerful idea: if Idaho is famous for potatoes, why aren’t there more potato chip brands proudly representing the state?

What started as a side project run out of their basement eventually grew into a full-scale manufacturing operation producing potato chips from raw Idaho potatoes to finished bags distributed across retail stores.

Their story is not just about building a consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand—it’s about perseverance, family sacrifice, and navigating years of financial uncertainty to build a business from the ground up.

Kyle and Amy shared their entrepreneurial journey on The Personal Side of Business Podcast, offering a candid look at the challenges of building a food brand while raising a family and risking everything to pursue their vision.

Who Are Kyle and Amy Nehring?

Kyle Nehring is an entrepreneur and founder who built Teton Valley Brands, a snack company focused on producing high-quality potato chips made with Idaho potatoes.

Before launching the company, Kyle worked in the health and nutrition industry at Sun Warrior, where he learned the operational and distribution side of consumer packaged goods. This experience gave him the foundation needed to eventually launch his own brand.

Amy Nehring has played a critical role in the company’s growth as both a strategic partner and operational contributor. From early product brainstorming and packaging design to helping run production during the company’s early days, Amy helped build the business alongside Kyle while also raising their growing family.

Together, the Nehrings represent a rare example of a family-driven entrepreneurial partnership, balancing business growth with family responsibilities.

The Entrepreneurial Journey of Kyle and Amy Nehring

The idea for Teton Valley Brands began in 2010, when Kyle was a college student studying entrepreneurship.

While walking through grocery store aisles, he noticed something surprising: despite Idaho being known worldwide for potatoes, there were very few potato chip brands highlighting the Idaho identity.

That idea stayed with him for years.

After gaining experience working in the consumer packaged goods industry, Kyle decided to pursue the idea seriously. In 2017, he and his brother launched the company with just $10,000 in startup capital, aiming to build a potato chip brand rooted in Idaho agriculture.

The early days were far from glamorous.

The chips were produced by a chef in Missouri and shipped back in bulk. From there, Kyle and Amy packaged the chips in their basement, using a homemade packaging machine Kyle built from a garage door motor. They worked late nights packing cases of chips just to prove that the concept could work.

Their first year generated about $30,000 in sales, but the business steadily grew as the brand gained traction.

Eventually, the company moved from being a side project to a full-time venture when the founders decided to build their own manufacturing facility and produce chips directly from raw potatoes.

Key Business Insights From Kyle and Amy Nehring

Through years of building Teton Valley Brands, Kyle and Amy learned several important lessons about entrepreneurship.

Persistence matters more than perfection

The Nehrings faced multiple moments when the business was close to failure. Bankruptcy was a real possibility several times, but they continued pushing forward and finding ways to survive.

Cash flow determines survival

Kyle often emphasizes that running out of cash is one of the biggest risks in any startup. Maintaining enough funding to keep the business alive was critical during difficult years.

Start small and prove the concept

The company began as a small side hustle before scaling. This allowed them to test the product and build demand before investing heavily in infrastructure.

Family support can be a powerful foundation

Amy’s role supporting the business while raising four children helped make the company possible during the toughest periods.

Topics Discussed on The Personal Side of Business Podcast

During their podcast conversation, Kyle and Amy discussed several topics including:

• how the idea for Teton Valley Brands began

• launching a food product with very little capital

• building a consumer packaged goods company

• the challenges of funding a manufacturing startup

• running a business while raising a family

• the emotional realities of entrepreneurship

• overcoming financial struggles during the company’s early years

• expanding production capacity and growing distribution

Their story highlights the human side of entrepreneurship and the resilience required to build a product-based business.

Why Their Story Matters for Entrepreneurs

Kyle and Amy’s journey represents the type of entrepreneurial story that often goes unseen.

Behind every product on a grocery store shelf is a founder who faced countless obstacles, financial risks, and difficult decisions.

Their experience demonstrates that building a successful business often requires:

• years of persistence

• willingness to take financial risks

• learning through mistakes

• strong family support

Their story also shows that entrepreneurs do not need massive funding or perfect conditions to begin—they simply need the determination to keep moving forward.

Listen to the Episode Featuring Kyle and Amy Nehring

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business Podcast, Kyle and Amy share the real story behind Teton Valley Brands and the sacrifices it took to build their company.

Listeners will gain insight into the realities of launching a consumer product company, the challenges of entrepreneurship as a couple, and the importance of resilience during difficult years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kyle and Amy Nehring

Who are Kyle and Amy Nehring?

Kyle and Amy Nehring are the founders of Teton Valley Brands, a snack company known for producing potato chips made from Idaho potatoes.

What is Teton Valley Brands?

Teton Valley Brands is a consumer packaged goods company that manufactures potato chips and snack products while promoting Idaho agriculture and local ingredients.

How did Teton Valley Brands start?

The company started as a small side project where the founders packaged chips in their basement before eventually building their own manufacturing facility.

What makes Teton Valley Brands unique?

The brand focuses on Idaho-grown potatoes, strong product quality, and building a business rooted in family values and local agriculture.

Key Takeaways

Entrepreneurs can learn several important lessons from Kyle and Amy Nehring’s journey:

• Great businesses can begin with simple observations and ideas

• Early-stage startups often require years of persistence

• Cash flow management is critical to survival

• Family support can be a powerful asset in entrepreneurship

• Resilience and faith in the long-term vision help founders overcome difficult challenges

Their story highlights the determination required to transform a small idea into a growing consumer brand.