Now moms and moms-to-be have their own drink to, specially formulated to taste great, be healthily packed with nutrients, and it’s a low cal punch at only 70 calories. This week we talked to Lucy Leahy, founder of Glow Mama, a natural juice beverage with the invigorating taste of kiwi fruit.

1. Tell us about Glow Mama, what is it and how did you come up with it?

Glow Mama is a natural nutritious juice drink developed for and by moms and moms-to-be. It is completely natural (no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors), low in calories (only 70 per bottle), approved by the American Pregnancy Association, a good source of fiber, folic acid, calcium, vitamins C, B3, B6 and B12, and really light, crisp and refreshing. I chose kiwifruits as the main ingredient because they are so good for us – high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid… the works!

I came up with the idea for Glow Mama when I was pregnant and struggling to stay hydrated myself. After giving up alcohol, caffeine and artificial sweeteners, I couldn’t find anything healthy, yummy and stylish… so I had to invent my own. I was eating a lot of kiwifruits during my pregnancy as I know they are so good for us and people kept telling me I was “positively glowing”, so everything just sort of fell into place… a healthy, kiwi juice drink for moms called Glow!

2. This project has not been a complete one mom show, tell us a little about the other people involved, it sounds very mom-centric.

I have a fantastic support network and crew of hard working, smart, knowledgeable women that I am more than happy to share the Glow Mama praise with. From the outset I built the Glow team with moms and moms-to-be because I don’t buy into that bizarre notion (that seems to still float around Corporate America) that we lose our brain cells when we become pregnant and mothers. In fact, the Glow Mama drink itself was developed by two pregnant professional food scientists and our web designer had her baby last week. We’re a flexible, child friendly workplace, always on the lookout for talented focused, multi-tasking moms.

3.When we become moms we become very involved and interested in the environment, it seems to go hand in hand with bringing up kids, your business is very eco-friendly, was this something you planned on from the start or did it just evolve as the idea evolved?

Growing up in New Zealand I’ve always been eco-conscious so it just seem natural to incorporate the environment into the business too. Also, now as a mother, I really see it as my job to make sure there is an environment to pass down to this next generation we’re creating (our little guy enjoys feeding his worm farm and helping with the composting).

Not only do we actively encourage reusing and recycling empty Glow Mama bottles, but we even sell (and give away) products made out of recycled plastic drink bottles like ours – so far we have snuggly soft baby blankets, but more mom products are on their way. Our labels are printed with soy inks, as are all of our marketing materials which are printed on 100% recycled paper (with 100% post consumer waste). I guess the fact that we are a virtual company counts too – none of us commute so that helps a little.

4. What is a “Day in the Life” of Lucy like now that this business is taking off and you have a little one growing alongside your business?

No two days look remotely alike, which is part of the fun of it I guess. Some days I’m busy talking to web designers and ingredient suppliers and working on the marketing campaign from my spare bedroom (during nap time or while my husband looks after our little boy). Other days I’m out talking to retailers with my little guy in tow - luckily the natural products and motherhood industries are baby friendly so they don’t mind him running around. All in all I couldn’t survive without my planner, many lists and supportive husband. On the tough juggling days, and there are many, I just have to remember that I love being able to work at my momtrepreneurial passion and see my son so much.

5. What kind of things are you doing to market your new product in these early stages of the launch?

Like most moms I buy my brands and products based on recommendations, so we’re now trying to get Glow Mama in the hands and mouths of as many moms and moms-to-be as possible. So far everyone who tries it loves it and can’t wait to tell friends. All of our live events, promotions and tastings have been in the San Francisco/Bay Area so far, but we do offer free shipping across the country on our website so everyone can try some at home. We’re always running Glow Mama giveaways on ours and partner websites too so look out for those.

6. Your brand new website is great, lots of information on it, recipes, a store to buy the product. Is the drink available anywhere else?

Thanks, we really wanted to make the website more than just a boring product site – we have lots of expert articles, tips, blogs, polls and links… and more to come too. We’d love to build a small community of like-minded, smart moms and moms-to-be who care about their wellness, style and environment as well as their kiddies.

So far Glow Mama is available in natural grocery stores, mommy cafes, and maternity stores in the San Francisco/Bay Area, but we’re looking to expand that now that the feedback has been so positive. Ideally we’d like to see Glow Mama available in natural grocery and maternity stores across the country – but we would need some help to do that.

7. How have you enjoyed this journey of taking a product from conception to delivery?

Yes it really has been like having another baby - everything from the naming and sleepless nights to the teething troubles and first steps. Seriously though, it has been fantastic to see Glow Mama develop from just a dream to a product on the shelves that people are enjoying. The best part is hearing other moms and moms-to-be “get” and love the idea, the branding, the website and the taste of Glow Mama – whether they’re pregnant, a new mom, or an old hand at the job. Their comments, emails and praise make the journey so rewarding. Despite its corniness we really would like to see more mothers live like our tagline… glowing with natural refreshing confidence.

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