Nourishing Energy for a Healthier You: The Benny Story — Founder Stories Ep #79

Pitch Please

In this episode of Pitch Please, Mike Thibodeau sits down with Paige and Julie, co-founders of Benny, a health-driven brand reimagining energy drinks. Unlike conventional options, Benny’s products combine yerba mate and adaptogens to deliver a steady, jitter-free boost. Paige and Julie share how they transformed their passion for wellness into a purpose-led brand, creating a product that not only energizes but also supports focus and overall health. They discuss the realities of launching a beverage startup, from navigating ingredient sourcing and Health Canada regulations to developing a strong co-founder relationship and scaling Benny’s retail presence to over 500 stores in Canada within the first year. This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at CPG innovation, brand-building, and standing out in a competitive market. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: - Health-First Innovation: How Benny’s unique ingredients deliver clean energy without the crash. - Building a Beverage Brand from Scratch: Key lessons on product development, ingredient sourcing, and regulatory compliance. - Strengthening Co-Founder Dynamics: The importance of a balanced partnership and mutual trust as young entrepreneurs. - Retail Success: How Benny quickly secured retail space at stores like Healthy Planet and expanded its footprint. Takeaways - Paige has always been interested in startups and entrepreneurship. - Julie started a plant-based food blog during COVID, which sparked her entrepreneurial journey. - Both founders faced health challenges that influenced their product development. - Benny aims to provide a nourishing alternative to traditional energy drinks. - Yerba mate offers a sustainable energy boost without jitters. - Adaptogens help the body adapt to stress and improve cognitive function. - The founders emphasize the importance of collaboration in entrepreneurship. - They started recipe testing in a home kitchen before scaling up. - Benny's product line focuses on flavor and efficacy. - Continuous improvement is key in product development. Things don't have to be perfect when starting a business. - Jumping head first into challenges can lead to valuable learning. - Navigating food regulations can be simpler than expected. - Asking questions and seeking advice is crucial for founders. - Brand evolution is essential to connect with consumers. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Benny and Founders' Backgrounds 03:04 - Julie’s Journey: From Plant-Based Food Blog to Benny 05:54 - Paige’s Entrepreneurial Spirit and Early Career 08:50 - The Reconnection: How Paige and Julie Became Co-Founders 12:00 - The Birth of Benny: Concept and Development 14:57 - Understanding Yerba Mate and Adaptogens 18:01 - From Kitchen Experiments to Product Launch 20:59 - Benny's Product Line and Future Innovations 27:41 - The Journey of Product Development 30:10 - Navigating Regulations in Food and Beverage 34:35 - Brand Evolution and Market Positioning 38:46 - Highlights of the Founding Journey 41:35 - Where to Find Benny and Future Plans 45:55 - Advice for Aspiring Founders More About Paige and Julie Paige and Julie co-founded Benny with a mission to create a clean energy drink powered by yerba mate and adaptogens. Dedicated to health and wellness, they’re challenging the norms of the energy drink market with a focus on sustainable, plant-based ingredients. About Benny Benny is a health-focused energy brand offering clean, plant-powered drinks made with yerba mate and adaptogens. Designed to provide lasting energy without jitters, Benny products are available online and in over 500 stores across Canada. Discover more at DrinkBenny.com. Want to Connect? Paige: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-cey/ Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-letizia-297102150/ Experience a new kind of energy! Visit DrinkBenny.com to find Benny in a store near you or shop online. Follow Benny on Instagram and TikTok for updates and wellness tips.