![]() ![]() ![]() Scaling operations has always been a challenge for us. It’s hard to anticipate all of the hidden costs that are required to produce a product and put it on the shelf. One mistake was not making sure that all of our costs (ingredients, labor, shipping, packaging, trade spend, etc.) were “priced” into our price. What are some examples of rookie mistakes you made when starting out? It’s a shame, since others have already come forth with the idea. I played around with quinoa milk recipes a few months ago, but I never pushed it forward. My real background is more on the business side, which has been helpful in building the company.Ī business idea that was left on the editing room floor? The product was developed by sheer experimentation in my kitchen. It’s true – I am interested in all things food. Not at all! I don’t have any background in the food or drink industry, although my friends always “out” me as being a foodie. We also now use a well-seasoned team in Chicago, Illinois, for larger production runs.ĭid you have a background in the food or drink industry when you started? Our Portland team is young and energetic, and they are open to growing with us. It was a fun experience, and the most important part of finding the right space was finding the right manufacturing partners. To get the recipe right, we flew to Portland and camped out at the facility. We started making our product in more substantial batches in a teeny-tiny kitchen in Portland, Oregon, of all places! We found the venue by word of mouth. Where do you currently make your product and how did you find the process of finding a kitchen to be like? That’s why we came up with the quinoa cluster product. We wanted to make quinoa more accessible to people – to demystify quinoa and make it snack-able. What inspired you to start your business? The company has evolved with just two of the original founders running the day-to-day: my Chicago-based partner-in-crime, Sarah, and myself. We sold early versions of the product at an artisan food market in Brooklyn, and then we decided to take the plunge into investing in packaging. We launched the project as an experiment, and I started baking the first batches in my kitchen in Queens, New York. I heart keenwah was founded by my three friends from school and myself back in 2009. Who are the business founders and when did you launch the business? ![]() Thanks to the i heart keenwah team, quinoa has successfully been made snack-able in these five flavors: Terah Chan always had an interest in startups, and when i heart keenwah came across his radar, he took charge of all things technology.Fiteh Zegeye worked in public accounting before hopping on the quinoa bandwagon and now manages the operational aspects of i heart keenwah and oversees accounts.Ravi Jolly left the financial world in New York City to launch i heart keenwah and spread the natural goodness of the mother of all grains.Sarah Chalos actively applies her background in manufacturing and management to i heart keenwah and commits herself to sourcing the best ingredients for quinoa clusters.I heart keenwah clusters are made from puffed quinoa flakes, whole quinoa, all-natural sweeteners, and a variety of nuts, berries, and superfood ingredients. It’s also gluten-free and low-glycemic, which makes it a good fit for almost any diet! Originally launched as an experiment among four friends, i heart keenwah is on a mission to demystify quinoa and to make this superfood easy to enjoy. Why quinoa? Not only is this grain a complete source of protein, but it contains all nine essential amino acids. This snack features naturally nutritious quinoa, the “mother of all grains,” along with nuts, berries, cacao nibs, and all-natural sweeteners. Manufactured in a facility that handles tree nuts and soy.I heart keenwah quinoa clusters are a complete source of superfood ingredients made in Portland and Chicago. Organic Quinoa (Quinoa Crisps, Quinoa Flakes), Chicory Root Fiber, Cashews, Evaporated Cane Juice, Cranberries (Cranberries, Cane Sugar), Coconut, Non-GMO Canola Oil, Honey, Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Natural Flavor. Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 28.0 g Servings per Container: 4 Energy With milk.įor each product sold, we donate resources to the fight against world hunger and to support the development of quinoa as a sustainable crop. ![]() Charge your energy and power your spirit without preservatives or artificial junk. To prepare for battle, the Inca ate quinoa, believing it was a gift from the gods. Each bite is packed with quinoa (keen-wa), an ancient whole grain seed and source of complete protein - the most powerful protein on earth. When you need energy, eatKeenwa Krunch is an all-natural cluster snack that delivers a balanced sweetness and nutritious blast to your body. EatKeenwa™ Krunch™ Quinoa Cluster Snack Coconut Cranberry Cashew. ![]()
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