Your name:  Ashley Paterson

Year the company was started:  Started in 2017, officially launched in 2021

Where are the products made:  Vancouver, B.C.

What is the ‘key ingredient’ that makes your product line special? 

We are the only low-sugar plant-based candy sweetened using solely monk fruit juice concentrate, without stevia or sugar alcohols – because of this we excel in flavour (without funky aftertaste that stevia has) and texture. We are also balanced in fibre content, which makes our candy gut-friendly.

What motivated you to start your company and create the products that we see today? 

We aim to eliminate any feelings of food guilt from our eating habits and redefine the notion of snacking. Historically, "snacks" have been associated with indulgence, and "snacking" with a careless and undisciplined approach to eating. Both of these notions have been deemed unhealthy.

Our objective is to cultivate a positive relationship between children and their snacks, thereby instilling healthier eating habits for the future. We strive for snacking to be a component of a balanced diet, where food enjoyment is not accompanied by any feelings of guilt or shame. 

Although there were products on the market that were marketed as better-for-you, they often fell short in taste, texture, or ingredient quality. Therefore, we aimed to create the ultimate candy, using natural ingredients and boasting excellent flavor and texture - a treat that kids would adore and parents would approve of. The result is Healthy Hippo! 

What aur company’s core values?

• Wholesome, simple & nutritious ingredients 
• Ethically & sustainably sourced supply chain 
• Minimized environmental impact (We are a carbon neutral company!
• Helping building healthy eating habits 

If you could tell a retailer three things about what makes your brand different, what would they be?

1. We are the only low-sugar plant-based candy sweetened purely with monk fruit juice concentrate, without stevia or sugar alcohols that can cause digestive discomfort or leave a funky aftertaste.
2. We do not compromise on our ingredient list: we are fully natural, without GMOs, and 100% plant-based.  
3. We are sustainable: Carbon-Neutral Certified!

What are some challenges you've had to overcome to bring your business to its current state?

We have been faced with a range of challenges in today's highly competitive market. These challenges have included everything from producing goods at an affordable cost, building brand awareness, securing distribution, ensuring a reliable supply chain, complying with regulations, keeping up with consumer trends, and securing financing. Achieving success as a CPG startup demands significant perseverance and unwavering dedication.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

In my downtime, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, taking walks to unwind, attending fitness classes to stay active, listening to thought-provoking podcasts, and indulging in some good reads. These activities help me to disconnect from work and recharge my batteries so that I can return to my professional pursuits with a fresh perspective.