As an entrepreneur or business owner, transitioning between industries can be both challenging and rewarding. After spending nearly four decades in the oil and gas industry and later shifting into software development for consumer technology, I’ve discovered that adaptability and leveraging existing skills are essential to mastering these shifts. By sharing some insights from my experiences, I hope to guide other entrepreneurs looking to navigate industry transitions successfully.
Embracing Change
In the business world, change is inevitable. For entrepreneurs to thrive, they must embrace it and see it as an opportunity rather than a setback. Over my career, I transitioned from running multiple businesses in the energy and oil and gas industries to developing a consumer-focused technology app—each time applying the knowledge and experience I gained along the way.
In 2020, after a 30-year career in the energy sector, I found myself semi-retired right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It was during this time that I began to notice how much my daughter and her husband, both busy working parents, were struggling. Between working in their respective careers, taking care of their kids, managing their kids’ activities, and trying to plan meals, it became clear that they were juggling a lot.
Seeing this, I realized there was a real need to simplify the meal planning process, something that could ease the stress for families like theirs. This inspired me to step out of semi-retirement and apply my skills to a new venture: consumer technology. From this, the idea for A Better Meal was born. My goal was to create something practical that would help families, not just manage their day-to-day meals, but enjoy the process and focus more on time together.
I used the skills I developed over decades of managing complex projects in the energy industry to design a solution, and while I had foundational coding knowledge, I knew bringing my app vision to life would require a team of experienced developers to achieve it efficiently and effectively.
Transitioning industries gave me the chance to solve a real problem with practical benefits for others. In developing a product that simplifies family mealtime, I found a renewed purpose in creating something that could make a lasting, positive impact on everyday lives.
Building on Existing Skills or Experiences
A successful transition often involves leveraging the skills and experiences you’ve gained in previous roles. In my case, applying engineering principles to software development allowed me to create innovative solutions in a completely new field. This not only gave me a competitive edge but also made the transition smoother.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned across industries is the importance of building a team you can trust. No matter what your industry is, you need people who not only align with your vision but also have the skills to bring it to life. You can’t do everything yourself, so surrounding yourself with capable, trustworthy people is essential.
Another transferable skill is building a budget and forecast, which establishes a financial baseline to guide decisions even when plans shift. While adjustments are often necessary, these tools help maintain focus on long-term goals, supporting growth and adaptability along the way.
I also believe that you can’t be afraid to tackle something new, but you need to be able to learn quickly. Transitioning from energy to developing a meal-planning app was a big leap, but I relied on my ability to learn fast and adapt. The sooner you can get up to speed, the quicker you’ll find success.
Lastly, one of the most valuable lessons is to have a strong, meaningful mission that can drive you through the ups and downs. Things won’t always go as planned, but when you have a mission that genuinely matters, it keeps you focused and resilient through the toughest times. Staying grounded in that purpose can help you overcome challenges and stay the course, even when obstacles seem overwhelming.
Assembling a Strong Team
No entrepreneur succeeds alone. Building a team with diverse skills is essential when navigating industry changes, especially in the early stages of a startup. I learned this firsthand during the initial development of A Better Meal. While I had a vision for the app, translating that vision into a functioning product required a team that could complement my skill set and bring expertise in areas I wasn’t as strong in, such as coding and interface design.
Initially, I partnered with two young, ambitious entrepreneurs—a designer and a software consultant. Together, we laid the groundwork for the app’s design and functionality. However, as the project grew, it became clear that the original team had other entrepreneurial priorities and wasn’t able to keep up with the growing technical demands. Deadlines started slipping, and it became increasingly difficult to align everyone on the same page regarding the future direction of the app.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was recognizing when it was time to restructure and rebuild the team. As much as it was tough to part ways with my initial partners, I needed to find people who could not only handle the technical requirements but also align with my long-term vision for A Better Meal.
After re-evaluating, I brought in a new team of developers and business support staff, each with more experience in their respective fields. This new team had the skills needed to accelerate the app’s development, but they also brought something just as important: the ability to pivot and adapt as the project evolved. Having a team that understands both the technical demands and the business vision made all the difference.
Identifying Market Needs
Understanding and responding to consumer demands is critical for any successful business. When I founded A Better Meal, I saw an opportunity to address the growing need for simple, convenient meal-planning solutions. By focusing on the features our users value most—time-saving tools and a variety of meal options—we developed the app to resonate with busy parents, families, and professionals.
Early users highlighted the need for quick, simple recipes to make weekday cooking less stressful. They wanted easy access to all their favorite recipes without the hassle of hunting for them, so we designed a tool that could create tailored meal plans, import and store recipes from external sources, and compile organized grocery lists—all in one place. Many users also felt stuck in a rut, cooking the same meals repeatedly and spending too much time searching for new recipes, only to fall back on familiar dishes. Our approach addresses these needs, making meal planning easier, more varied, and accessible.
Early users also expressed a need for recipes that were quick, easy to prepare, and didn’t require too many ingredients or complicated techniques. To address this, we created a variety of meal plans categorized by dietary preferences and cooking styles, giving users fresh ideas without the extra work. By allowing users to choose from different meal plans or explore new recipes, we made it easy to break out of the usual routine and keep things exciting in the kitchen—all while saving valuable time.
Feedback from early users shaped A Better Meal’s features. As we’ve grown, we’ve continued learning about our users’ needs and preferences, leading us to roll out a new user experience in early 2025. This update will allow users to explore a variety of meal plans for inspiration—perfect for those looking to enjoy more home-cooked meals without having to rely on dining out as frequently. We’re also introducing educational videos to build essential kitchen skills, helping users feel more confident in their cooking journey.
Transitioning between industries as an entrepreneur brings its share of challenges but also opens the door to fresh opportunities for growth and innovation. With a commitment to embracing change, using transferable skills, building a talented team, and keeping up with consumer needs, entrepreneurs can make these shifts with confidence. As I look ahead, I’m reminded that adaptability and a readiness to explore new paths are essential ingredients for success.
Mark Semmelbeck is a dedicated entrepreneur and philanthropist with a career marked by resilience, vision, and a passion for positive impact. Known for his contributions to the energy sector and his commitment to humanitarian efforts, Mark’s journey reflects his dedication to making a difference in the world. With a Ph.D. in Engineering from Texas A&M University, he has founded successful companies and played a vital role in industry evolution. Beyond business, Mark’s heart lies in empowering communities and addressing societal challenges, which is evident through his involvement in establishing orphanages and supporting initiatives to combat poverty. Inspired by real-world challenges, Mark shifted his focus to create an innovative AI-powered app designed to simplify weekly meal planning and empower families to eat healthy. Rooted in a desire to make a meaningful difference, Mark continues to lead by example, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
By: Mark Semmelbeck, Founder and CEO of A Better Meal
