Episode #33: Andy Weiss Founder of Blue Planet Foods Specialty Imports Talks About His Grief and His Business

Andy Weiss is the founder of Blue Planet Foods, a specialty food import business which he operates from his home office in Chicago Illinois.  Andy started Blue Planet Foods out of necessity when he left his corporate job due to ethical and moral conflicts with his employer.  He provides some great insight on becoming an entrepreneur and surviving numerous financial struggles amid economic downturns while providing for his family.

“My wife and I met long ago at Thunderbird International Business School AZ where we got our Master’s Degrees. We moved to my home town of LA where she worked as a Programmer Analyst for a large retailer and I worked in the Food Business. We have two boys and we relocated to Chicago in a Corporate move in 1993. In 2000 I started Blue Planet Foods Ltd, a food importing company while my eldest started U of I Champaign and my youngest high school. My youngest accelerated HS so he could enlist in the Army Infantry in 2004. Danny deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His service began as a Rifleman and SAW Gunner with the 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan in 2005. Returning in 2007 to Chicago, he earned a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He did this in two years so he could return to the Army and get his commission as an Infantry Officer. Which he did with flying colors and honors. He redeployed, serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader in Afghanistan with the 117 Infantry, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team in 2010.

He was then chosen to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment and assigned to 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, WA. He deployed with 2/75 in late 2011 as a Rifle Platoon Leader in Attack Company. He was getting ready for his 4th deployment when he was killed by his invisible wounds the evening of March 4th, 2012. His awards include US Army Ranger Course and Airborne School, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, and Airborne Wings.

While we grieve my youngest, life goes on and bills still need to be paid. My wife and I continue to import and distribute foods from around the world. Currently, my eldest AJ heads our internet store found at Donostia Foods. As we begin our new lives we hope we can be of service to others to honor both Danny and AJ.We have taken the ASIST Training to help in Suicide Prevention and have become certified TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) Peer Mentors and we facilitate the local Chicagoland TAPS Care Group for families of the fallen.