Submitted by Seleyn DeYarus on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:37
What inspired you to start your business?
In 1993 things had become challenging, the winds of life seemed to be blowing hard against me. It was such challenging times. I took a walk down the street and was intuitively called to stop and lean against a more than 100 year-old cottonwood tree. I said, “I need your help, can you give me some advice?” The words came through me as the tree shared its timely wisdom . . . “Stand tall. Stand proud. Sink your roots deep into the earth. Reflect the light of your true nature. Go out on a limb. Be content with your natural beauty. Remember your roots. Enjoy the view!” These and sixteen other lines of Advice from a Tree poured forth. I designed a postcard and began to share it. Then a bookmark. The response was always “where can I buy this?” Then, Advice from a River, Advice from a Mountain and realizing that each part of nature had a message to share. I recognized that the Advice was the perfect concept where I could combine my extensive business background with the beauty of nature to bring products into the marketplace that celebrated nature and human nature. Yes they are products, but the intention is to package inspiration and hope to give people ideas of how to continue to grow and live their true nature.
What are your proudest accomplishments?
Your True Nature has taken the simple tree idea and developed over 100 other Advice (see www.yourtruenature.com) sold in most National Parks throughout the US and thousands of gift stores. We have products that give back to the earth including our gift of a tree card and our e-cards that plant a tree (www.treegreetings.com). Nearly 100,000 trees have been planted including the planting of trees to replace all paper used in the sale of our products. Best of all, we have the most dedicated, powerful, fun, cohesive team imaginable. Can you see me smiling?
How does your business serve your local community?
We purchase most of our products in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado rather than out of state or overseas. The majority of the trees we plant are through the local nonprofit Trees, Water, People. Thirty thousand of these trees have been planted locally. We distribute free educational materials and online curriculum to promote childrens’ connection and celebration of nature.
What are you reading right now and why did you choose it?
John McPhee’s Control of Nature. There is a wonderful chapter on the volcanic eruption off the coast of Iceland in 1973. It reminded me of my 40-day solo on foot across Iceland in 1976 and visit to the site of the eruption. I once again saw the amazing power of nature and felt the still, cooling earth. I learned firsthand of the inventiveness and fierce determination of the Icelandic people that pumped water on the lava to divert it from closing off access to their fishing harbor and the aliveness and ever present change of the earth. Reminding me to embrace the continuous change in my life.
After training as a raw food chef with Juliano Brotman it became apparent to me that there were very few well-executed raw food brands on the market back in 2006. I certainly could not buy anything locally in Dallas, Texas so I decided to channel some of my husband’s entrepreneurial spirit and start my own brand. As a designer by education I felt the need to create something that was my own.
How does your business serve your local community?
We give food to the local food banks often and we support the state and local gluten free groups with free samples and lectures on celiac disease and living a gluten free life. We give free samples away all the time to events that we are passionate about whether its curing kids cancer, Autism awareness or health and wellness. We also are active in the local chapter of The Children’s Defense Fund. All three partners at Hail Merry are mothers. We always gravitate towards helping children.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Aside from creating Hail Merry, raising three happy, kind and, I hope considerate children. Also sustaining a beautiful relationship with my husband of 17 years.
Every once in awhile we build a few moments into our day to try new products we are considering offering in our gift baskets. It’s an important part of the business in order to keep our gift baskets intriguing. A very special box of tea samples arrived from Tisano Chocolate Teas that called for an impromptu tea party.
Opening the beautifully designed canisters is an aroma-filled delight. The rich chocolate notes of caramel and wood are decadent while the individual flavors of each blend burst through.
Tisano Chocolate Teas are a unique blend of organic, sustainably harvested Venezuelan cacao shells and other ingredients like rose petals, chai spices, vanilla and green tea. Interestingly, the cacao shells, usually a wasted byproduct of cacao bean production, contain equal amounts of nutrients as the beans themselves so Tisano started creating flavor blends that amount to delicious teas to sip any time of day.
I have made up my mind. I even have dreams where I advocate for eating organic. I am certain that to take care of my family, our planet, and myself, choosing organic foods is the wiser choice.
I know that you have likely seen countless articles that either claim organic foods are better or ones that claim they are not. I think that the answer is within our grasp by applying good ole common sense.
We live in an age where we are told science knows best. I am pro science but I am also pro self-determination and using basic reasoning skills that do not depend on a PhD, test tubes, petri dishes or field sampling. For those of you who need science to confirm, there are some significant studies for review.
In a factual presentation shown below in two columns, the Mayo Clinic has outlined some significant differences between organic and conventional agricultural methods.
Conventional
Organic
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth.
Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray synthetic insecticides to reduce pests and disease.
Spray pesticides from natural sources; use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use synthetic herbicides to manage weeds.
Use environmentally-generated plant-killing compounds; rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth.
Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.
My daughter, Bobo, created the first Bobo bar and though it was dripping with high fructose corn syrup, butter and refined sugar…it had a great taste and was a hit with all her friends. I saw an opportunity in a quickly expanding organic, and vegan, on-the-go breakfast bar market as I do live a pretty healthy lifestyle myself. Being a part of the Boulder community and raising my kids here were also instrumental in starting a business here…we are the Natural Foods Mecca after all.
How does your business serve your local community?
Contributing to community is an important part of the Bobo’s Oat Bar company vision. Each year Bobo’s donates to several community and non-profit events that focus on outreach to help educate and feed children, and outreach to support families in need. Bobo’s contributes to the annual CU Buffalo Bicycle Classic to help fund college scholarships. Bobo’s donates to the Boulder Valley School District to support student nutritional needs during CSAP testing. Bobo’s contributes to Attention Homes, an organization that offers support to homeless teenagers. Bobo’s donates to Educate!, an organization that helps fund school programs for children in Africa. Bobo’s provides support for There With Care, a group that reaches out to help cancer patients and their families. And, Bobo’s donated its product to help feed the firefighters during the Four Mile Fire.
Gardening is an activity that has spanned countless generations. From the first peoples, who observed that discarded seeds became spring shoots for their nourishment, to those of us who delight in gardening wherever we can cultivate—rooftops, planters or backyards—we find a way to experience the joy of gardening.
Photo By Diana Taliun/Fotolia
My paternal grandmother, whom we called ‘Dee’, was an incredible organic gardener. She had green thumbs and read the farmers almanac faithfully. Truth be told, I think she had some of her own magic incantations she must have mumbled and sung as she planted her garden each year. I remember being awed by this prodigious realm of climbing beans, tomatoes sprawling everywhere, flowers of every color, tall stalks of corn, winding shoots of cucumbers and crook-neck squash, crowning onions and so much more filling tiered spaces in the backyard of her home in Concord, North Carolina. Steamy summers with air so thick you could swim in it, full of all manner of flying creatures—in this southern jungle, Dee cultivated extraordinary fruits and vegetables that became delectable squash casseroles, apple pies, stewed tomatoes and pickled relishes that I dare say I still crave.
Today more than 12 million Americans enjoy growing gardens using only all-natural fertilizers and insect and weed control and our numbers continue to grow. Organic gardening is good for us and all the creatures that make their living in our backyards.
As we approach the growing season, the question is what to plant? As I am a novice, I have gathered some helpful hints that might assist you and me in making innovative and tasty choices for our fruit and vegetable gardens.
Growing up, I spent a lot of time battling my weight. I tried “low fat, low calorie” diets, which meant, high sugar diets, lacking in fiber and protein. They left me feeling hungry and thanks to the sugar crash, lethargic. When I was older and learned more about our food industry, I realized that 80% of the food in grocery stores is loaded with added sugars. I thought: I can make snacks that taste great, are naturally good for you, filling, and give you real energy.
How does your business serve your local community? We help people feel good about snacking. In addition to our commitment to organic snacks with no refined sugar or preservatives, we work with farmers to promote sustainability, and we donate to local organizations and causes. For many years, we’ve sponsored the National Alliance for Mental Illness, among others.
How do you want to make a difference?
I want to help people understand that added sugars are toxic and empower them to feel better by eating food that’s truly nourishing. Peeled Snacks are a tasty treat that also provide real energy, so you don’t have to sacrifice.
What is your greatest accompishment so far?
My greatest accomplishment is that every year people eat millions of Peeled Snacks. Since 80% of packaged foods are loaded with added sugar, choosing Peeled Snacks instead makes a huge impact on people's lives and health. Without the yo-yo effect of added sugars and their insulin spike/crash, people feel better and more energized. They feel good about how they're treating their body and their tastebuds.
What tech gadget can you not live without?
My iPhone!
Share the Experience of Organic
America's Best Organics is pleased to offer Peeled Snacks in our organic gift baskets filled with artisan, organic treats and eco-useful products. Say Thank You, offer Congratulations, wish a Happy Birthday, send a Get Well Soon gift or say Welcome to a new baby! America's Best Organics is your best site for organic gifts that deliver health and happiness on any ocassion. Plus, we ship anywhere in the USA. Share Earth's Goodness™!
Submitted by Seleyn DeYarus on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 13:20
What inspired you to start your business?
I have been participating in social change and cause related activities from a very young age. By college, I committed my whole career to “social good” business. I always knew that businesses had the power to promote change and function in a socially responsible way with values at the forefront without sacrificing revenue and innovation. sweetriot’s causes are definitely mine at my core – values-based business, direct trade with the developing world, celebrating culture and diversity.
First I began with the idea of creating a socially responsible company as amazing as The Body Shop & Ben & Jerry’s. I went with my love of sweets and my memories of great, old, classic candy. I wanted to bring that same excitement to consumers-but with something that was healthy, indulgent, and guilt free! When I discovered cacao I just knew I had to create a product pertaining to the true-natural chocolate bean. The attraction was that chocolate is really a fruit, and it’s natural, delicious, and good for the body. Plus, I really fell in love with the history of cacao! I want to bring back the magic and purity of chocolate.
My philosophy on being mission-based & responsible is that it's not about writing checks. Social responsibility is so much deeper. We have a social mission because we want more than just profit to guide us - I believe we can change the world! Our mission is: To create a more just and celebrated multicultural world for our next generation. The vision is to strive to weave social responsibility through out sweetriot,I view social responsibility in 3 key areas: Our Product. Our People. Our Partnerships.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Building an authentic brand with a core set of values, that create joy for consumers. I could not have built the brand/company alone. sweetriot is all about the people. Companies are just people at the end of the day. In fact, at sweetriot we call them thumbprints. Each thumbprint is unique and has its own unique strengths to bring to the organization.
How does your business serve your local community?
sweetriot is extremely proud to have started our global concept to fix the world in the world’s greatest city, New York. We are excited to grow and to offer natural, healthy candy products around the world and will always identify with New York City as our dynamic founding city. It has been an inspiring, supportive setting for sweetriot.
sweetriot is proud and honored to have received a Neighborhood Achievement Award for the New York City Small Business of the Year which was presented by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
The Small Business of the Year Award honors an entrepreneur whose business has significantly improved its neighborhood or demonstrated outstanding commitment to the community through offering new or enhanced products and services, generating new activity on a commercial strip, attracting new businesses to the area, or providing exceptional employment opportunities.
We are committed to continuing to operate in NYC offering delicious healthy products, and generating new business and employment opportunities for the community.
What are you reading right now?
Blue Ocean Strategy
How do you want to make a difference?
I always knew that businesses had the power to promote change and function in a socially responsible way with values at the forefront without sacrificing revenue and innovation. In continuing to grow sweetriot, each unit sold positively impacts/supports fair trade and sourcing in Latin America, which directly supports a better life for farming families. In addition, each sweetriot package features original artwork, which promotes artwork by various emerging artists from all over the world. Lastly, we want to continue to share the story of cacao by creating healthy, guilt-less treats for consumers.
We are just back from an exhilarating and delicious whirlwind tour of the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by a prosperous natural foods community here in Boulder, but it is endlessly inspiring to step outside of our sphere to see how the rest of the country is faring in the specialty and organic food world. Like Boulder, San Francisco is home to an incredible food community and is a perfect place to host such an exciting event.
We spent two days munching on chocolate, sipping savory teas, slurping dairy-free ice cream, nibbling on gluten-free crackers, soup mixes, tapenades and sampling olive oil. All organic, of course! The overwhelming theme was sweet and savory in one bite. Read on for a roundup of our favorite finds (and hopefully soon-to-be new vendor partners in 2013)!
Our first stop was the Numi Organic Tea booth. We chatted with our friends there and sipped on their newly launched savory teas. We were blownaway by the creativity of this concept and the flavor profiles backed up our excitement: Tomato Mint, Broccoli Cilantro, Carrot Curry and Spinach Chive. In a world filled with flowery and sweet teas, adding veggies and savory herbs to the mix is most welcome. We imaging sipping Carrot Curry with a savory scone as an afternoon snack. It's time to rethink the 3pm sweet tooth craving!
We covet Bissinger’s Gummy Pandas and their booth was bustling! Their gummy pandas are made with organic sugar—great for our gift baskets. Grapefruit was our favorite flavor—sweet and tart in one chewy bite. The Bissinger’s folks unveiled an outrageously delicious (although not organic) product apropos to the Bay Area: chocolate covered Point Reyes blue cheese wine grapes! Can you imagine the creamy, sweet and chewy texture?
Submitted by Seleyn DeYarus on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 15:29
What inspired you to start your business?
My background is in consumer products/packaged goods – when my good friend, Anis Ahmed, Teatulia’s President & Co-Founder, said he wanted to bring his teas to the US, I offered to help him out. The more I learned about the garden and the business model (and the more I learned to love the teas themselves), I was hooked!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Re Teatulia, bringing a high quality product with a greater mission to the US marketplace. I look forward to expanding the circle of people who learn about what we do as the business grows.
Personally, my proudest accomplishment = my 2 kids!
How does your business serve your local community?
The Zuni Hub is home of Teatulia’s headquarters, The Mother’hood, Green Garage, and Tea Bar by Teatulia. We encourage the community to use the space for meetings, events, parties, or just to hang out. Teatulia also participates and donates tea to local charities events year round.
Furthermore, Teatulia serves not only our local community, but also the Bangladeshi men and women who help cultivate our teas through revolutionary education, health and cattle-lending programs.
How do you want to make a difference?
I want to make a difference by changing the lives of Bangladeshi women, men, and children by creating opportunity for them. I know that our programs on the garden are making a huge impact and bettering the lives of the people.
Then, by sharing the Teatulia story in the US, I hope to expand people’s minds and experiences as they learn about how we are doing things different and how good tea really can be.
What tech gadget can you not live without?
My iPhone, of course. I am constantly checking my email, making calls, or texting when I am out and about. I use it to stay organized and to surf the web when I am not around a computer. As a CEO and mother of two, it makes life less complicated.
What inspired you to start your business? 
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petals, chai spices, vanilla and green tea. Interestingly, the cacao shells, usually a wasted byproduct of cacao bean production, contain equal amounts of nutrients as the beans themselves so Tisano started creating flavor blends that amount to delicious teas to sip any time of day.
I have been participating in social change and cause related activities from a very young age. By college, I committed my whole career to “social good” business. I always knew that businesses had the power to promote change and function in a socially responsible way with values at the forefront without sacrificing revenue and innovation. sweetriot’s causes are definitely mine at my core – values-based business, direct trade with the developing world, celebrating culture and diversity.
What are you reading right now?
We covet 
The Bissinger’s folks unveiled an outrageously delicious (although not organic) product apropos to the Bay Area: chocolate covered Point Reyes blue cheese wine grapes! Can you imagine the creamy, sweet and chewy texture? 
My background is in consumer products/packaged goods – when my good friend, Anis Ahmed, Teatulia’s President & Co-Founder, said he wanted to bring his teas to the US, I offered to help him out. The more I learned about the garden and the business model (and the more I learned to love the teas themselves), I was hooked!
The Zuni Hub is home of Teatulia’s headquarters, The Mother’hood, Green Garage, and Tea Bar by Teatulia. We encourage the community to use the space for meetings, events, parties, or just to hang out. Teatulia also participates and donates tea to local charities events year round.
