This fitness enthusiast and father of two took his entrepreneurial background to start a ~winning~ protein-forward brand.
The saying "health is wealth" is thrown around a lot, but for Mark Samuel, founder of snack startup IWON Organics, it's personal. Mark, who previously founded another company in the health & wellness space, launched IWON in 2016 with the belief that balanced nutrition is the key to long-term health. What better way to make healthy eating more accessible than by offering convenient, nutritent-forward snackfoods?
IWON Organics offers a variety of high-protein, organic snacks -- including "stix" and puffs -- in bold flavors like Korean BBQ, Mesquite, Cheddar Cheese, Sweet Dijon and more. All products are made using plant-based protein and are gluten free, soy free and non GMO.
Mark spoke with Foodboro about the inspiration for the brand, the challenges of navigating the CPG industry, what’s next for IWON, and what it takes to win in life and in business.
I founded a company called, Fitmark. We had manufactured travel and meal management bags for health enthusiasts. We sold the assets in 2016, when we started IWON.
Where did the inspiration for the brand come from?
I wanted to start a food brand in the better for you space, one that was organic and protein focused.
Who in the industry do you turn to for inspiration? Any other brands in the industry that you admire?
I have a few folks that I speak to every so often, ones I trust, ones I believe know their stuff. I have always enjoyed following brands like Perfect Bar and Kind. Great brand stories, great products, great founders.
What have been the challenges of navigating the CPG industry?
It’s an extremely cash intensive business. Much more than expected.
What impact has the current economy had on the brand?
I don’t see an impact outside of the capital markets being affected, resulting in a lot less investment opportunities.
As a founder, what do you do to take care of your health - both physical and mental?
I work out a minimum of 6 days a week, and eat extremely well. Health is my greatest priority.
Focus on your health. Without it, you can’t be your best self, in and outside of work.
What advice do you have for early-stage entrepreneurs?
Focus on your health. Without it, you can’t be your best self, in and outside of work.
What foods do you always have in your cupboards/fridge?
Meats, fruits, eggs, honey + lots of kids stuff too (I’m a parent), that includes processed snacks for convenience, but better ones like IWON.
Some brands you think are killing it?
If you mean spending and burning gobs of money and growing, I could name plenty, but why do that? Joking. Sort of.
What trends do you think are here to stay?
Eating whole, nutritiously dense foods. That’s health 101 when it comes to the best nutrition. Always will be.
What’s next for the brand?!
Launching another organic, pea-based, savory snack this summer - we want to play in the produce and functional snack set, not just the salty chip aisle as our other snacks sit today.
The saying "health is wealth" is thrown around a lot, but for Mark Samuel, founder of snack startup IWON Organics, it's personal. Mark, who previously founded another company in the health & wellness space, launched IWON in 2016 with the belief that balanced nutrition is the key to long-term health. What better way to make healthy eating more accessible than by offering convenient, nutritent-forward snackfoods?
IWON Organics offers a variety of high-protein, organic snacks -- including "stix" and puffs -- in bold flavors like Korean BBQ, Mesquite, Cheddar Cheese, Sweet Dijon and more. All products are made using plant-based protein and are gluten free, soy free and non GMO.
Mark spoke with Foodboro about the inspiration for the brand, the challenges of navigating the CPG industry, what’s next for IWON, and what it takes to win in life and in business.
I founded a company called, Fitmark. We had manufactured travel and meal management bags for health enthusiasts. We sold the assets in 2016, when we started IWON.
Where did the inspiration for the brand come from?
I wanted to start a food brand in the better for you space, one that was organic and protein focused.
Who in the industry do you turn to for inspiration? Any other brands in the industry that you admire?
I have a few folks that I speak to every so often, ones I trust, ones I believe know their stuff. I have always enjoyed following brands like Perfect Bar and Kind. Great brand stories, great products, great founders.
What have been the challenges of navigating the CPG industry?
It’s an extremely cash intensive business. Much more than expected.
What impact has the current economy had on the brand?
I don’t see an impact outside of the capital markets being affected, resulting in a lot less investment opportunities.
As a founder, what do you do to take care of your health - both physical and mental?
I work out a minimum of 6 days a week, and eat extremely well. Health is my greatest priority.
Focus on your health. Without it, you can’t be your best self, in and outside of work.
What advice do you have for early-stage entrepreneurs?
Focus on your health. Without it, you can’t be your best self, in and outside of work.
What foods do you always have in your cupboards/fridge?
Meats, fruits, eggs, honey + lots of kids stuff too (I’m a parent), that includes processed snacks for convenience, but better ones like IWON.
Some brands you think are killing it?
If you mean spending and burning gobs of money and growing, I could name plenty, but why do that? Joking. Sort of.
What trends do you think are here to stay?
Eating whole, nutritiously dense foods. That’s health 101 when it comes to the best nutrition. Always will be.
What’s next for the brand?!
Launching another organic, pea-based, savory snack this summer - we want to play in the produce and functional snack set, not just the salty chip aisle as our other snacks sit today.
The saying "health is wealth" is thrown around a lot, but for Mark Samuel, founder of snack startup IWON Organics, it's personal. Mark, who previously founded another company in the health & wellness space, launched IWON in 2016 with the belief that balanced nutrition is the key to long-term health. What better way to make healthy eating more accessible than by offering convenient, nutritent-forward snackfoods?
IWON Organics offers a variety of high-protein, organic snacks -- including "stix" and puffs -- in bold flavors like Korean BBQ, Mesquite, Cheddar Cheese, Sweet Dijon and more. All products are made using plant-based protein and are gluten free, soy free and non GMO.
Mark spoke with Foodboro about the inspiration for the brand, the challenges of navigating the CPG industry, what’s next for IWON, and what it takes to win in life and in business.
I founded a company called, Fitmark. We had manufactured travel and meal management bags for health enthusiasts. We sold the assets in 2016, when we started IWON.
Where did the inspiration for the brand come from?
I wanted to start a food brand in the better for you space, one that was organic and protein focused.
Who in the industry do you turn to for inspiration? Any other brands in the industry that you admire?
I have a few folks that I speak to every so often, ones I trust, ones I believe know their stuff. I have always enjoyed following brands like Perfect Bar and Kind. Great brand stories, great products, great founders.
What have been the challenges of navigating the CPG industry?
It’s an extremely cash intensive business. Much more than expected.
What impact has the current economy had on the brand?
I don’t see an impact outside of the capital markets being affected, resulting in a lot less investment opportunities.
As a founder, what do you do to take care of your health - both physical and mental?
I work out a minimum of 6 days a week, and eat extremely well. Health is my greatest priority.
Focus on your health. Without it, you can’t be your best self, in and outside of work.
What advice do you have for early-stage entrepreneurs?
Focus on your health. Without it, you can’t be your best self, in and outside of work.
What foods do you always have in your cupboards/fridge?
Meats, fruits, eggs, honey + lots of kids stuff too (I’m a parent), that includes processed snacks for convenience, but better ones like IWON.
Some brands you think are killing it?
If you mean spending and burning gobs of money and growing, I could name plenty, but why do that? Joking. Sort of.
What trends do you think are here to stay?
Eating whole, nutritiously dense foods. That’s health 101 when it comes to the best nutrition. Always will be.
What’s next for the brand?!
Launching another organic, pea-based, savory snack this summer - we want to play in the produce and functional snack set, not just the salty chip aisle as our other snacks sit today.
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