It all started with me, in bed, violently puking for 4 days.
OK, it didn’t EXACTLY start quite there, but that really was how this company was formed to be the type of food business it has been for the past year – a collection of healthy snack foods, consisting mainly of our Kale Chips and Flax Crackers.
I initially planned to have a sweet and savory pie company; so I formed an LLC, and set out buying mixers, molds and other baking equipment. No matter what I would be making, I knew I only wanted to use wholesome, natural ingredients.
However, even good ole butter is an oh, so natural ingredient, just as much as any whole-meal flour is. My pie development days led to lots of pie, and therefore butter, being eaten by yours truly. This ultimately led to a complete body shut down, complete with INTENSE, incessant vomiting, as described above.
So, not only do I get intestinal distress from things I love like cheese, but now butter makes me violently ill. Great.
At this point, I had already formed my company and had started working with a logo designer. I was not about to give up my vision of cubicle independence just because I couldn’t make pies. The sense of urgency to keep going forward was made even stronger by the fact that I had just (unofficially) dropped-out of my PhD program at George Mason. I had the entrepreneurial fire BURNING, compelling me to keep going in the direction of natural foods. I knew that, like me, people are looking for better options when it comes to their food.
This ultimately led me back to my vegan chef training days at Living Light Culinary Institute in Fort Bragg California. I’ve ALWAYS struggled with my weight – lots of ups and downs – and thought that by making healthy foods that taste –well, tasty, I’d being making good choices for myself and also providing YOU with healthy, convenient options. Thus, began our exciting adventure as a healthy snack co.
Now, that you know how our company began, here is where we’re going…
As we move into this next stage of opening our Community Market and Juice Bar, we’re excited to offer even more healthy products, like fresh fruit and veggie juices, wraps, and amazing salads that go beyond your run-of-the-mill mixed greens. We are also committed to maintaining a Vegetarian and Gluten Free menu, which will appeal to everyone, whether you’re on a specialty diet or not.
We are hard at work getting our shop ready for our August 1st Grand Opening. Besides our Take-Out items, we can’t wait to share even more fabulous things with you, like locally produced goods, workshops, and cooking demonstrations.
If you live locally and think you might like to shop at our little market, please consider contributing $25 to $50 towards our efforts. Or, if you’re not local but still feel inspired to financially support local, independent businesses, you can do so here, on our Indiegogo.com fundraising page. No amount is too small, and every single dollar you contribute will go towards making this a fantastic resource for YOU!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,
- Toya Tanis, Owner and Creativity Maker behind New Family Naturals
PS: If you like what we’re up to, don’t forget to share it with friends. Use the social media tools on our Indiegogo fundraising page, or you can simply copy, paste and send them this link! http://www.indiegogo.com/NewFamilyNaturals-Market
