A Memphian shares her success story and what inspired her to become healthy Tell us a little about your story and the history behind your new, locally owned company, Nourishe? My path to fitness and health began in April 2011. I was considered clinically obese, weighing about 210 pounds at only 5’ 1� tall with the added challenges of being diabetic and having high cholesterol. I thought I was doing all the right things by counting calories, limiting fat intake, eating healthy whole grains and doing moderate exercise. None of that worked; I just gained more weight and my diabetes became worse. Finally my doctor told me that my medication was no longer able to control my blood sugar and that I would have to start insulin injections. That is when I became desperate and decided to do something completely different to take charge of my health. For almost a year my son had tried to convince me to eat paleo and try CrossFit training. I didn’t want to because the paleo philosophy is the complete opposite of established nutrition recommendations: cut out all grains and sugar, eat pastureraised meat, a moderate amount of nuts and fruits, lots of vegetables and lots of healthy fats including olive oil, coconut oil and, yes, fat from pastured animals. My desperation finally made me decide to listen to him. I not only lost weight, I got control of my diabetes and cholesterol and have actually become an athlete. Nutrition was the key. It reversed the damage and allowed my body to be able to do the intense CrossFit workouts.
Cameron brought to the table broad and deep skills in marketing. Share some of your major accomplishments to date with the business and product line. We started discussing our ideas about producing baking mixes during the holidays in 2012 and launched by April 2013, just in time for the opening of the Memphis farmer’s markets. By June we were in Whole Foods. Shortly after we were in other local retail locations including Miss Cordelia’s in Harbor Town, City Market downtown and the Trolley Stop Market on Madison. We were also very fortunate to have found the Cannery owned by the Trolley Stop. It is a local commercial kitchen that rents time and space for food startups to produce out of. Being able to utilize this space made it financially feasible to start the business. Our current product offerings include two flavors of cake and muffin mixes (Cinnamon Raisin Pecan and Chocolate Ginger Macadamia), a waffle and pancake mix and a bread mix called “Sandwich Thin.� All our products have a base of organic nut and seed flours and are gluten and grain free, preservative free and lower in carbs. What are your ultimate goals?
I’m a long-time Memphian and I have no plans to live anywhere else. Nicole has also been in Memphis for quite some time and is committed to remaining part of this community. Our goal is to make a success of our business and be a What inspired you and your part of the exciting burgeoning local food husband Richard to take the plunge movement. Our product line is expanding with into starting your own business? new cake mix flavors and a shortbread cookie to name a few. Most exciting of all, a glutenThe idea of starting a business originated and grain-free pizza crust and flat bread mix is from trying to create non-grain recipes for the due out this December. things that we missed such as waffles, pancakes, muffins, sandwich bread and cookies. The What is your overall philosophy recipes on the Internet sites for paleo food for success? just didn’t meet my “foodie� standards so I experimented to come up with my own. We We look at this not just as a business, but as a had some real successes and periodically took vehicle to share with people our experience in our goodies to parties where people would gaining back our health. I cannot count how urge us to start a business. That was about many times I have been at the farmer’s market the time that we met another couple, Nicole and someone shares with us their struggles. Heckman and Cameron Waggoner, at the We have had tremendous success in gaining gym where we worked out. We had the same back our health by changing what we eat, so I philosophy about food and were passionate would consider it a success if others can change about using the highest-quality ingredients. the trajectory of their health and fitness in a It’s a great partnership because Nicole and positive direction. %FDFNCFS t BUIPNFNNT DPN ]