Better Whey of Life Blog

Three Green Learnings from Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo

2010-02-12T14:32:00.009-06:00

Last night I met Gary Hirshberg, CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm. He gave a lecture at the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum in Chicago. His lecture was meant to inspire more greener business practices, and he used anecdotes from his book "Stirring It Up: How To Make Money And Save The World". When I read the book last year, I found the title a bit arrogant (as well as the tone of the book). However, after hearing him last night, I'm drinking his Kool-Aid (or, in this case, his Super Smoothie). He has a truly inspiring story. I listened intently to identify things small businesses, like Tula Foods, can learn. Here is what I took away...

First...influence your suppliers to practice green. Your supply chain likely accounts for the greatest portion of your carbon footprint (this is much easier if you are a larger, influential company, but it is never too early to start trying).

Second...involve your employees. Stonyfield employees were the ones that created green teams and identified over $5.3 Million in annual green savings across multiple areas.

Third...ask why not? It was this question that caused Stonyfield to create a waste treatment facility that actually burns clean energy to fuel his plant instead of dumping the waste.

Finally...don't think you are too small to have an impact. He quoted a colleague..."Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference has never been in bed with a mosquito".

I loved that quote. Are YOU a mosquito? Inspire us with your story! How have YOU made a green difference??? Our green report card is due out this summer!

A Start-Up's First Year in Review: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2010-01-04T11:56:00.005-06:00

As every year comes to a close, it’s impossible not to look back on the past year…be thrilled with some decisions, regret others, and look to the new year as a completely clean slate. Most importantly, I find myself bubbling with anticipation for the New Year and new decade!

The Good:

The 2009 year started off with naïve excitement! As this was our first full year in the market, we viewed 2009 as our first chance to help get America off the devastating high carbohydrate and low protein diet that the USDA food pyramid recommends (see how obesity rates increased when low fat diets were endorsed). Shelved in select stores on the East and West Coasts and in the Midwest, consumers were able to purchase our yogurts in multiple locations. This only fueled our enthusiasm and energy for our first full year.

To support our launch, we executed various marketing programs, which yielded some great lessons. Two professional sports teams (the Chicago Blackhawks and the Cincinnati Bengals) brought Better Whey of Life Protein Yogurt into their locker rooms for the 2009 season. Both teams currently lead their respective divisions.

Most exciting in 2009 was the interest we received from large grocery chains across the country. We were validated that our mission and product concept was right on. With this interest; however, came reality…

The bad:

In discussions with these larger grocery chains, it became clear that in order to meet their thresholds, consumers needed to buy our yogurt at a higher frequency than they were. We took a hard look at our yogurt and knew we needed to make some changes before expanding. So, just like they say to do in the venture capitalist's bible, Getting to Plan B, we quickly began making changes to improve our yogurt. This was a difficult time. Not only did we postpone expanding to 700 new stores until we had an improved product, but in an effort to focus our resources in the right way, I pulled out of some resource intensive stores.

The Ugly:

Would I be an entrepreneur if I had the attitude that anything was ugly?!? No way!!! Let’s get back to the good!

Back To The Good: 2010 Plans!

We have been working tirelessly to improve the taste and nutrition of our plain yogurt flavor, and we will launch this improved product later in 2010. Our work was recognized in the Innovate Illinois competition. Innovate Illinois, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO), awarded a $30,000 grant to Tula Foods for our innovation. I can’t wait to share with you what we have in store! Stay tuned…we are living our brand and will bring you an even Better Whey in 2010!

Guest Post from Barbie Brooks

2009-12-10T10:28:00.007-06:00

This month, we're honored to have Barbie Brooks writing for our blog. Barbie offers some ways to stay healthy this holiday season and gives you a jump start on your New Year's resolutions.

Seasons Greetings!

When I think about the holidays, two things come to mind: Stress and Excess. One leads to the other. To relieve stress, most people end up eating too many so-called "comfort" foods and drinking too much alcohol. Both of these methods do not eliminate stress, but cause more!

The way to combat stress and excess is actually very simple: Eat right and exercise... The only problem with this "simple" statement is that most people don't know what is healthy. I mean, did you know corn isn't a vegetable, but a grain? Tricky marketing makes you think you're eating more vegetables than you are. Plus, with so many studies coming out contradicting the last healthy study you read, it's hard to know what to believe and who to trust.

With that being said, I say simply this: Use your head. Do what you know.

We know protein is necessary to repair and build muscle as well as maintaining normal blood sugar levels (which help you to avoid the junk food cravings). We know complex carbohydrates are necessary to give you energy, ensure proper brain functions, and the fiber will help your insides running smoothly and able to better absorb nutrients into your system.

What are "good" complex carbohydrates? Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and potatoes are a good place to start. Just keep them in their natural state as much as possible. What are some good protein choices? Egg whites, lean cuts of beef, chicken, fish, and low fat dairy, like whey protein isolate. I recommend whey protein over soy protein due to research indicating the increased estrogen levels associated with eating soy products (especially in men). If we want to build lean muscle and burn fat, we do not want our estrogen levels to go up! A high quality whey protein (like that found in Better Whey yogurt) can help repair your muscles giving you that toned, defined look, and keep your hunger levels down. This will help you avoid the holiday sweets and festive cocktails. Imagine yourself actually losing weight during the holidays~ That is so much better than grandma's pound cake!

To deal with holiday stress, make a little time in your day to clear your head- even 20 minutes can make a huge difference in your mind and body. When you do your cardio exercise, you may want to eat a little protein and carbohydrate about an hour beforehand. When you strength train, you want to eat protein with a little carbohydrate within 2 hours after working out. How much protein depends on your size, sex, and goals, but getting at least 15g is greatly beneficial post-workout.

So readers, I challenge you this holiday season to take more time for you. Think about yourself, your goals, what you're eating and what exercise you can do that's fun and makes you sweat. New Year's resolutions can begin today! Every day, every meal, every step will bring you closer to becoming the person you were always meant to be!

In Health,

Barbie Brooks

Note: Barbie is a Personal Trainer at a premier Chicago Health Club, FFC Halsted Street.

E-mail: BBrooks@ffc.com

Website: http://www.fitnessformulaclubs.com/

A Little Sample from the Marketing Team

2009-11-20T11:02:00.008-06:00

You, our readers, have had the opportunity to read the latest news from Better Whey of Life and Tula Foods as well as the insights from CEO Daphne Mazarakis. I'm going to switch gears today and offer you a window into the marketing efforts behind Better Whey of Life.

One of the things we know when we introduce a new product, is that people love to try before they commit. Knowing this, we have sampling intiatives established in Chicago and the Northeast. You can find our samplers handing out tastes of our great yogurts, coupons and product information at Whole Foods and other participating supermarkets. We have received great feedback during our sampling efforts and normally sell out of all the product on the shelf. Our taste testers give us great insight on the product as well as share their stories of how they incorporate our whey protein-based yogurts into their daily diets. We love customer feedback and these sampling events are as great for us as they are for consumers.

In Chicago, we just wrapped Phase 1 of our Street Team initiative. Our team members visited gyms, fitness centers and workout boutiques to educate staff members on our yogurts and the benefits of whey protein. It's exciting for us to interact with those fitness-focused people and learn that many are already fans of our yogurts.

You may have noticed we have a new Twitter account, written by member of the Tula team. If you follow @ProteinGirl, be sure to add @BetterWhey to your following list. These Tweets will provide you with an inside look to the happenings of the company as well as exciting company news and events.

Regarding this blog, each week we will feature different contributors. Daphne will continue to blog, but we will incorporate a marketing voice, as well as have fitness and nutrition experts share their thoughts. We look forward to continually provide you with the latest info from Better Whey, as well as pass along ways to maintain a healthy body.

~Hanna

A Little Suffering Can Do You Good

2009-10-20T09:58:00.008-05:00

Hail, rain, and sleet marked this past Saturday's weather for the 5^th Annual Chicago Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk hosted by the Lustgarten Foundation. Being a cause near and dear to my heart, my entire family and I passed out Better Whey yogurts to the bravest of walkers. By the end of the day, we couldn't feel our fingers or toes, our muddied shoes would never look the same, our cheeks were scarred from pelts of hail, and yet we wouldn't have traded the experience for the world! Our bodies were cold, but our hearts were warmed. We "suffered" together, watching brave walkers walk in honor of their loved ones. We were touched by our dear friends who came out in our honor. As my sister-in-law said, "There is nothing like a little suffering to bring us together".

A mere few days later (just yesterday), I went to the plant to oversee our yogurt making. I was scheduled for third shift! While I'm usually a fan of beauty sleep, there is a certain bonding that occurs in the wee hours of the morning that is just priceless.

As I think about the warmth of “suffering,” I can't help but think of this past weekend's game in New England. Teams and fans "suffered" through the totally unexpected northeastern snowstorm while watching the Patriots blow out the visiting Tennessee Titans. Anyone watching that game will never forget it!

A little good suffering can make amazing memories that can warm your heart for a lifetime!

Gain Insight from Your Colleagues

2009-10-02T15:54:00.008-05:00

Last month, I had the opportunity to be in the company of two multi-million dollar dairy CEOs: the CEO of Lifeway Kefir and the CEO of Chobani Greek Yogurt. Each left me with a strong piece of advice that, together, will hopefully be the recipe for Better Whey's success!

I first met with Julie Smolyansky. I asked Julie for advice in different areas. Her answers always started with "it depends on your end goal.” Julie pressed me to be sure I knew what I was striving to achieve in the long-term and to ensure every single decision worked toward that end goal.

I then visited with my dear friend Hamdi at his plant. Hamdi believes everything stems from a perfect product made by passionate people who work hard day after day. He pays incredible attention by watching every step of his yogurt making process unfold with perfection. He has an unwavering focus on consistently producing the best product. Hamdi's presence at his plant is an incredible force that keeps people present on the task of making great yogurt.

This is a simple recipe for success that we see over and over: know where you want to go and be present and carefully watch and execute each moment that unfolds.

How I Won With a 5-Minute Presentation

2009-08-27T11:53:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I competed in the second round of Innovate Illinois. This organization is giving $80,000 worth of grants to start-up companies. The first round was a written application, which narrowed the list of competing companies to five. They then held the second round, which was an oral competition. Each company had five minutes to present their company and two minutes to answer questions. And, guess what...we’ve made it to the third round!

Let me tell you why I think our company made it to the final round. I'm going to borrow some principles from the latest book I'm reading Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

Simplicity—With only five minutes, I decided not to use an overhead presentation. I practiced and whittled the presentation down to 5 minutes by highlighting only the most salient points.

Unexpected—It was completely unexpected that I didn't use an overhead presentation. Instead, I surprised, and delighted, the judges with physical props and fed them my product. Every other company just did the usual, ho-hum, overhead presentation.

Concreteness—Physical props help convey the concreteness of what you’re trying to sell or explain. By providing the judges with samples, they could touch, smell and taste. I would have lost these senses in an overhead presentation.

Believability— In business, be a name dropper! There is something to be said for Sinatra’s New York, New York song. "If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere". I dropped Whole Foods, the Chicago Blackhawks, my background from Kraft, and the list goes on....

Practice—Someone once told me "If you have 6 hours for a presentation, you can prepare for 6 minutes. If you have 6 minutes for a presentation, you need to prepare for 6 days!"

Wish me luck at the final competition!

There is always a Better Whey

2009-08-18T12:21:00.007-05:00

A Day In My Life As An Entrepreneur

Today, like many of my days, consisted of thinking through and executing better ways to run my business. On the surface, it was no different than a day at Kraft, where I was constantly tasked with bigger, better, faster. The difference is, as my former Kraft colleague so eloquently said, I am not making incremental changes to a product that has been in the hands of countless brand managers over the course of years or filling in the blanks of annual planning templates. I am creating this template with limited precedent data.

Here is what today entailed…

FedEx arrived with samples of our new packaging. We improved our graphics and added “Vitamin D” copy to the package. The new packaging will run at our plant on Wednesday and will be hitting shelves in the next few weeks! Ahhh…if only it could be that easy. Much to our dismay, packaging printers made a few mistakes that, if you look closely, you may notice. On back of the package, you will see what you may think is a colorful design. The line of circles should NOT be there! And the purple printing is not consistent; some areas are dark and some are light. The packaging is definitely a “Better Whey” from where we are today, but we are still not there yet! We are quickly regrouping with the printer.

Next we sampled several prototypes. Brian is screening a variety of ingredients to improve the taste of our plain yogurt (people say it is way too sour) and we are also looking at some delicious new products for future launch (that’s about all I’ll say so as to not tip our hat too much!). Brian convinced me today there are definitely “Better Wheys” to formulate our current and future product. Stay tuned on that, lots more to come…

Next, we thought through future growth plans. A couple of weeks ago, I had a conversation with Julie Smolyasky from Lifeway Kefir. She gave me some interesting advice on growth, which is impacting our expansion strategy. After looking over our original business strategy, I believe there is a “Better Whey” now!

All that, and still time for a workout and blog post!

Great Greeks

2009-08-12T10:27:00.016-05:00

It’s no secret that I’m Greek. We’re working on a new campaign for our yogurt and we will discuss the differences between our product and Greek yogurt. This got me thinking about Greeks in general. Here’s some of the research regarding famous Greeks.

Socrates: What do little kids and Socrates have in common? They constantly asked “Why?” I’m sure his mother was thrilled. His constant questioning got him into trouble as he was found guilty of corrupting the minds of the youth and sentenced to death by way of poison hemlock (hmm…a new exotic flavor?).

Archimedes: After discovering displacement, he exclaimed “Eureka!”, the motto California adopted (you’re welcome). He is considered one of the greatest mathematicians (must have been a fun date). MIT students put his theory of heat ray to the test on the Discovery Channel’s MythBusters and the theory rendered busted. I guess he’s not so hot these days.

Alexander the Great: Well, his name has Great in it, so he should probably earn a spot. In short, he was quite the military commander as he f ounded around 70 towns and went undefeated in all of his battles during the heyday of his career. All this before he was 33?! But did he start a yogurt company? Nooooooo…..

Aesop: We would never learn “slow and steady wins the race” or “birds of a feather flock together” without his Fables. He was our Father Gander. The Grimm Brothers decided to steal his thunder a mere 2,312 years later with their Tales of princesses and stepmothers and toads.

Pete Sampras: He dominated the courts for most of the 90s racking up seven Wimbledon titles (the current record) and finishing #1 in the world for six consecutive years. Where did he get all that muscle? Well it wasn’t from our yogurt (we weren’t around), but you never know where the next champion might come from. He left on a high note in 2002 with his last performance winning him the U.S. Open.

Nia Vardalos: Windex can thank Ms. Vardalos for their rise in their 2002 sales. My Big Fat Greek Wedding started out as an independent production and went on to become the biggest independently produced box office hit. Her latest film, My Life in Ruins, did not see this same fate.

Jennifer Aniston: You wanted her hair in the 90s and now, you want this 40-year-old’s body after her recent GQ cover (this can happen with our product, seriously). She left the TV set in 2004 after a 10-year run on Friends and can be seen in the upcoming Love Happens with Aaron Eckhardt.

Learn a little something? I know I did (thanks Google!). Knowing there are great Greeks out there makes me feel comfortable in my entrepreneur skin and feel my good fortune is within reach. Repeating to myself “Slow and steady wins the race” every time I roll out of bed doesn’t hurt either.

The E-Myth Learnings

2009-07-20T11:24:00.007-05:00

As my faithful readers know, I am spending a majority of my time building this business called Better Whey of Life. While the support of my family and friends is immeasurable, and they serve as role models in many aspects of my life, none of them have blazed the entrepreneurial trail. As a result, I find myself turning to advisors and business books alike. Recently, I joined a business book club, and this has inspired me to use my blog as a forum to share my business book knowledge.

Let's start with the E-Myth, a book a finished a few weeks ago. Firstly, given that I am often commuting, I listened to E-Myth on my iPod. This was a great way to go. If I could summarize E-Myth in one sentence, it would be: Go to work on your business, not in your business.

Author Michael E. Gerbe r reiterates this phrase time and time again throughout the book. Gerber encourages you to imagine your business as a prototype for thousands of more like it. When you think about it this way, you are forced to (1) Be perfectly clear with your vision and what you want your business to be when it grows up and (2) Structure your business in a disciplined and orderly fashion so that the model can operate smoothly and efficiently. Your goal is to have a business that works like clockwork, ultimately without you.

This line of thinking is invaluable. As a result, I spend much of my strategic thinking on how to best get things done, as opposed to being the person getting everything done. Ultimately, this will result in a structured and well-run organization versus a haphazard small company whose owners are scrambling to complete everything.

As with every good business book club, there are assignments. My assignment to you is to identify one thing you do in business or life that could be standardized and made more efficient. Go ahead and take the steps required to make it more efficient.

Let me know how it works for you! And for further review of E-Myth, check out the following business summary. It's quite good!

The Power of Community

2009-06-08T08:29:00.006-05:00

As you may recall, last October, Brian, Joel, and I waited for the last official finisher of the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon to cross the finish line. We were waiting to award the “lucky recipient” with a year’s supply of yogurt, a personal trainer, and an entry to the 2009 Chicago Marathon to improve their time! After over eight hours, Barbara Nance crossed the finish line as the last official finisher and Better Whey of Life lucky award recipient. What we didn’t realize at the time, was how lucky WE were to have Barbara as our award winner! Thanks to Barbara, last weekend, we were blessed with the opportunity to be a part of her wonderful running community.

Last weekend, Brian and I passed out samples of Better Whey of Life Yogurt to Barbara’s running community – The Elijah Running Club – after their 9 mile run. What an inspiring group of people; we felt so lucky to be a part of it. Over seventy runners met at the crack of dawn to start their run. After an inspiring talk by their leader, Darnell Williams, they completed about nine miles. When finishing, they couldn’t have been more supportive of one another, and of us as a new company. The affection by which they spoke of Barbara and the kindness and support they expressed to one another reminded me of the power of and need for community.

Each and every one of us is running our own personal marathon. Thanks to Barbara and the Elijah Running Club for reminding us that running our own marathon is that much easier, less painful, and more fun with the support and love of the community around us. I dedicate this blog post to Barbara, the Elijah Running Club, and the friends, colleagues, and family who have provided me with endless love and support during this marathon called Better Whey of Life!

To see more photos, check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12480678@N07/sets/72157619414115888/

Greek is En Vogue!

2009-05-13T10:41:00.004-05:00

I grew up in a relatively traditional Greek household. Each week we put on our Sunday’s best and went to the Greek Orthodox Church, I received my weekly dose of Greek lessons from Kuria Tulupa (Mrs. Tulupan for all non-Greek readers). I celebrated Easter at times when none of my other friends celebrated and we ate every part of lamb imaginable at almost every holiday (my apologies to all vegetarians)!

While I love my culture, it’s crazy that all of a sudden Greek is en vogue! Did it start with the 2004 Summer Olympics or when Greek wines began making their mark? Perhaps it was “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (which is now followed by Nia Vardalos’s latest “My Life in Ruins”).

And now, I can’t go a few hours without someone asking me how Better Whey of Life Yogurt compares to Greek Yogurt. Well, my friends, we decided to let YOU tell us how good going Greek really is. Here are some VERY interesting results! While Greek Yogurt is creating quite a buzz…not everyone thinks so! Take a look!

Going Back In Time Or Do Women Entrepreneurs Need To Be More Professional?

2009-04-13T23:11:00.004-05:00

This past Thursday, Brian and I were invited to present to a very impressive and active Angel Group. The meeting was held at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, where oak trim, plush carpeting, and lots of men in black pinstripes suits greeted us.

We were one of three presenting companies. I presented and was thrilled with my presentation; we fielded every question superbly as well. After the presentation, I was told, point blank, that the men were pleased because, as a woman, I need to be more professional than my men counterparts and I had achieved that. I passed the test.

To be honest, I have no problem working as hard as I can so I’m more professional that my counterparts; it’s in my blood to want to be the best! But I’m curious…what do you think? Is going to Milwaukee going back in time, or do we women still have major hurdles to overcome?

The Inconsistent Beauty in All Natural Foods!

2009-04-06T16:40:00.017-05:00

I can remember the first time that I understood how un-natural some food products really are. I was about 5 years old sitting at kitchen table across from my Mom. In front of my Mom was a cutting board, knife, and a shiny new red apple that we just had gotten from the store. My mouth watered as Mom sliced the beautiful red apple in half. It was like slow motion as the two halves parted and rolled onto each side of the cutting board. Instead of seeing crisp, juicy, white flesh, I saw how the red dye from the skin of the apple, applied to make it look shiny and nice, had seeped through the flesh, to the core. Talk about hitting me over the head that all-natural beauty truly comes from within.

Well, I am remembering these lessons again today. As you all know, have an all-natural whey protein-enhanced yogurt. Today I sampled our latest product run. Today's product was slightly thicker than "normal" and last week's product was slightly thinner than "normal". I don't know if you could detect it, but we can! We could eliminate this variability if we used modified starches like Yopliat and Dannon, but we have decided that all-natural beauty is what we stand for. At the same time, we are doing everything we can to deliver the same texture yogurt each and every time. In the meantime, we are remembering that No Two Things in Nature Are Exactly Alike and that's the beauty of it! We hope all our loyal consumers agree!

We Want Your Packaging Feedback!

2009-04-02T23:01:00.010-05:00

We are looking at some different packaging options and wanted your feedback! As a small company, they say that packaging is the greatest marketing tool you can have. You want something that is going to be noticed on shelf (and compelling enough to be pulled it off shelf).

Please take the survey attached. It should only take you a few short minutes (and there are pictures)...I promise it will be quick!

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228ZVE2EKCX

Thanks in advance for your input. We will let you know what we learn!

Who Needs Kilimanjaro!

2009-03-25T09:02:00.005-05:00

I went out last Friday night and met one of those adventure travel guys. You know, the ones who make you feel like you aren't living unless you are jumping out of an airplane or climbing one of the seven summits. With my confidence temporarily shaken as I realized I had not been on vacation in over a year (let alone an adventure vacation), I spent some time reflecting. I realized...I'M ON THE ADVENTURE OF MY LIFE!!!! What's more, I'm loving it!

With that intro, it has been a busy few weeks since my last post! Since then, I made a trip to our plant to review our production line, dealt with out of stocks in NY and Chicago due to stronger than expected sales, exhibited at Expo West Trade Show in LA to secure our next round of regional expansion, readied our yogurt patent with Brian and the legal team down in Texas, got our yogurt over to Halas Hall for Bears March Training Camp and met with interested investors in Northern and Southern California, Wisconsin, New York and Chicago!

How did this all make me feel? When I took a step back the other day and reflected on all that my team and I had accomplished, I was truly moved to tears. It was an amazing feeling.

So, Mr. Adventure Travel, my journey currently may not be filled with awe-inspiring views from Mount Kilimanjaro, but I can guarantee you that it is just as (if not more) exhilarating!

So what do you think? Am I crazy to enjoy this challenge so much, or do others thrive on the risk as much as I do?

The Power of the Unexpected Thank You

2009-03-02T21:05:00.005-06:00

Last week, I felt the shear enormity of this business that my team and I have undertaken. I was at our plant in (no-cell-zone) Wisconsin checking yogurts as thousands came off the line. My team back in the office received notice that we had our first off-shore order (okay -- it was Hawaii). My marketing agency was in Southern California sending me pictures of the product on the shelf. And I was learning through Twitter that our product was moving so fast in NY that stores were out-of-stock! My mind was spinning 1000 miles a minute. Every once in a while, though, something would happen that would make me pause and smile. And those were the unexpected "Thank You's".

The number of "Thank You" emails from consumers are ever-increasing. And for this I am very very grateful. While I welcome all feedback, I will admit that "Thank You" emails are touching and energizing! I hope that our responses to your emails demonstrate the deep appreciation we feel. Here is a reprint from one of my favorites from today...

Subject: THANK YOU

Yea!! JUST WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!!

I was at Whole Foods Naperville yesterday and came across the BetterWhey yogurt. 15g of WHEY protein and only 14g sugar - just what I need as part of my post-workout breakfast I eat at the office.

I would love to be able to make my whey protein shake or have some eggs - just not possible at the office. This yogurt is perfect.

I was nervous it was not going to taste good . . . . . . oh, no it tastes GREAT. (I had the acai mixed berry)

9 years ago the Fitness Manager at Buffalo Grove Fitness Center introduced me to Whey protein and he said the is the best source of protein I should incorporate into my diet (I have a ling long battle with obesity). I bought the Promax protein bars for a while. I also buy the canister of Whey protein at Whole Foods.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU . . . . .

I will be spreading the word =)

- Chicagoland Consumer and Wellness Consultant/Training Specialist

A Better Whey For All!

2009-02-24T20:58:00.009-06:00

In the last few weeks, our products are reaching farther and wider than I would have imagined! Just this past week, we have had a professional sports team request our products, two major bariatric practices request our products, dialysis patients, and numerous registered dietitions. All this, AND our revenues for Jan/FEb are 2X higher than expected. We are thrilled with our momentum, especially as we go into our next major trade show, Expo West, and begin our first external capital raise.

We want to hear from you, too! Tell us how and why you are using our products!

Thanks Whole Foods! Off To A Strong 2009

2009-01-27T22:33:00.005-06:00

15 states, 100 plus stores, and moving as planned! Thanks to Whole Foods, our expansion to the entire Midwest, Northeast, and Southwest Regions has 2009 off to a strong start!

Check out our where to buy page for a retailer near you! And let us know what you think of the product (email me at dmazarakis@tulafoods.com). It's still early, so we are listening and making adjustments accordingly!

My Take On "Tips for Entrepreneurs"

2009-01-23T00:14:00.011-06:00

I was flipping through my Alma Mater's Entrepreneurship Newletter. Their fall issue offered 7 tips for entrepreneurs. I found them to ring true; so thought I would add a little color based on my (now 18 month) adventure!

1. Just Do It

Yes. Take the risk. Follow your dreams. It's amazing and incredible! If you are anything like me, you won't ever look back. BUT...do think through best case and worst case scenarios, especially worst case scenarios. There are A LOT of difficult days. Knowing what is the worst that can happen is comforting. The way I see it, if things don't work out as planned, I'm financially poorer, intellectually richer, hundreds of times more marketable, and incredibly happier than I would have been had I stayed in my corporate job.

2. Get Good Legal Counsel

Absolutely. Let me know if you need a referral!

3. Invest Your Own Money -- It disciplines you

Yes. If you really want discipline, start your business during a recessionary period!

4. Surround yourself with good people -- both heart and mind are important

This resonates most with me. Both the right team at work and at home are critical. At work, knowing you an rely on smart, honest leaders and colleagues is reassuring. Having the right support network at home just as important, if not more. The encouragement of loved ones is truly make or break because it is a tough road!

5. Never carry the burden of being the smartest person in the room.

True. But more importantly remember to trust yourself. You may have surrounded yourself with a smarter team; but if it's your baby, at the end of the day, you need to feel good about it.

6. Learn to micro-manage initially and try to unlearn it later

The earlier you can understand when to delegate and when to take the reigns the better. I'm still waiting for the day I'm even close to mastering!

7. Be shameless about asking for help

I couldn't agree more. But ALWAYS remember that your turn will come. Make sure you, too, offer your help freely when asked!!!!

Of course, I have to add own piece of advice. HAVE FUN! It you aren't having fun, why in the world did you start this adventure in the first place. For me, in spite of all the ups and down, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I'm having the time of my life pursuing my dream and creating something out of nothing that will help people eat and live better! And thanks to everyone who is helping making this happen! It isn't possible without you!

Whey Protein Spas – The Next Big Thing?

2009-01-20T15:12:00.016-06:00

Today Brian and I had another interview on whey protein and our Better Whey of Life™ brand. This time it was for Food Product Design, a trade magazine whose article is to be published in April.

One of the first questions asked was whether consumers are looking for "back to the basics" when it comes to nutrition or are they looking for healthy, functional ingredients that are more like "bells and whistles" (implying that whey protein is a "bell an whistle").

This question made me realize that it is not well know that whey protein is both "back to basic" nutrition as well as a "functional" food. We all know that I have been touting whey protein's functionality for promoting lean bodies and for helping lose inches around the waist. What you may not know is that whey is a centuries-old cure! Whey was used in Ancient Greece as a reliable remedy for many diseases. Centuries later, Whey Inspired Spas were created in Switzerland, Germay, and Austria in the 1800s. Evidently, they were frequented by royalty.

Since the Better Whey of Life™ brand is about a better life, I think Spas may our next Big Thing! Okay okay...we have to sell some yogurt first :).

If you are interested, you can check out Dr. Mercola's view on whey protein, both its basic nutrition as well as its functional benefits!

FLAX: Another Way To Enjoy Plain!

2009-01-12T13:42:00.003-06:00

Because it has the most protein and least sugar, I eat one of my Plain Yogurts daily (although I think my record is six...that story and the ramifications thereafter are for another time)! I am therefore, constantly finding new ways to enjoy my Plain Yogurt.

Over the holidays, my brother's fiance told me to put flax seed on my yogurt. I said that I already get my Omega 3s through daily supplements. She told me I should eat it for the fiber. After visiting a store, I found ground flax, toasted flax, plain flax, flavored flax, every flax you could imagine. It touted Omega 3s, fibers, lignans, etc. I bought the toasted flax, but knew I needed someone to demystify the flax out of it!

Thanks Nutrition Diva . You had a great piece a few days later that helped me make sense of these little guys that look like sesame! If you have the time, check it out. If not, here's what I learned: flax does contain Omega 3s, fiber, and lignans, but you need to ground it to enjoy its benefits. Either ground it yourself, or buy it pre-ground. Either way, ensure that it is ground fresh (no more than two weeks old).

Since then, I have pulled out grandmother's mortar and pestle (that she carried all the way from Turkey). I ground my toasted flax each morning (it takes a total of 1-2 min -- same time it takes to heat the water for my tea). I throw it into my plain yogurt, add a little agave nectar, and Whola...I have an even more nutritionally delicious start to my day! Plain, certainly doesn't have to be boring...just look at the flax!

Recipe:

• One cup plain BWOL yogurt

• 1 Tbsp Ground Toasted Flax Seeds

• 1 Tbsp Agave Nectar (doesn't spike your GI as much as honey)

Approximate Nutrition:

• 200 Calories

• 20g Protein

• 6g Fiber

• 4g Fat (the good stuff from the Flax Seeds)

• 13g Sugar (low GI fro the Agave Nectar)

Shiny Happy 2009!

2009-01-06T10:52:00.008-06:00

We Greeks have a fabulous New Years Day tradition! Every New Years, we hide a shiny coin in delicious, sweet baked bread. The bread is then blessed, cut, and distributed among family and friends. The person who receives the piece with the coin is said to receive good luck throughout the year. In an attempt to buck tradition and ensure as much good luck for all, my Dad decided he would secretly insert several shiny coins in many different breads and sweets throughout his house. Of course, that increased my chances by 300% and I did receive one of the coins!

If that is any indicator, its going to be a good year! On this first real workday of 2009, I received two new accounts to carry our product, closed the 2008 books (at least for our business plan purposes), finished my investor presentation, and approved a revised formula for the peach-mango yogurt (I didn't like the taste of the mango pieces in the "old" formula). All that with still some time to connect with friends and write a quick blog. You may ask what about the daily work-out...after all, I'm promoting a fitness yogurt and a Better Way of Life? Firstly, I don't work out daily...I'm a 3-4X a week girl. And, secondly, you can't do everything in one day. Some things are better left for tomorrow!

Happy New Year To All! May all our days shine as bright as one of Dad's (many) 2009 lucky coins.

Everyone loses!

2008-12-08T09:26:00.011-06:00

That's how America's Biggest Loser

touts its show. I just learned that a secret ingredient to aiding these "losers" is the Biggest Loser Protein, made with WHEY protein. "The show trainers and doctors have been incorporating Whey Protein into the lives of our contestants for the last few seasons," says Mark Koops, Creator and Executive Producer of The Biggest Loser. Sadly, The Biggest Loser is a true picture of America's health. Perhaps this is the strongest testimonial yet that whey protein works on everyone from everyday Americans to elite athletes!!!

All Clogged Up -- America's #1 Nutrient Deficiency!

2008-12-03T08:51:00.013-06:00

Did anyone read last week that America's #1 nutrient deficiency is fiber? No wonder we are so uptight here in the United States! But...did you know we offer a Better Way to become unclogged!

Unlike other high-protein yogurts, Better Whey of Life™ Yogurt provides you with a good source of fiber. Many high protein yogurts (i.e. Greek Yogurts -- and I'm Greek...notice the "Mazarakis") are strained, making it impossible to retain key nutrients such as fiber. Our process retains such nutrients making it one of the most complete yogurts on the market.

More good news about Better Whey of Life...Also on the nutrient deficiency list is calcium and vitamin D. Our yogurts provide more calcium than standard yogurts because calcium is inherent in whey protein. And you will soon see vitamin D added to our yogurts! There have been significant articles written on the increasing importance of vitamin D in one's diet.

Here's to a Better Way to a leaner, stronger, and less clogged you!