Q1. Tell us where it all began
It all started due to me being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2009. I was constantly in and out of hospital and on a lot of harsh medication that was messing my body up and doing more harm than good. Eventually I had enough and seeked a more natural approach due to the medical system failing me.
I read a book called the Autoimmune Solution and it changed my life. The book outlined cutting refined sugar, gluten and dairy out of my diet and within one month I went into a remission and haven’t taken any medication since. That was 8 years ago.
The only problem was I had such a sweet tooth I couldn’t just buy what I wanted in the shops anymore to satisfy it so I had to start making my own sweet treats that were refined sugar free, gluten free and dairy free.
After a couple of years of doing that my friends and family starting eating them also and urged me to start a business. I had no intention of actually starting a business so as the saying goes “every cloud has a silver lining”
Q2. What differentiates you from similar businesses in this area?
There are a lot of “free from” companies, but there’s not any other businesses that are offering a product that is refined sugar free, gluten free and dairy free in one.
The best compliment we receive is that they don’t taste healthy. They taste as good as regular unhealthy versions.
“The best compliment we receive is that they don’t taste healthy. They taste as good as regular unhealthy versions.”
Q3. What would you say are the biggest challenges your business is currently facing?
For me personally it’s social media and marketing. This is not a strong point of mine so I’m having to outsource this but still haven’t settled on the right option.
The products take care of themselves and anyone that tries them loves them and comes back but it’s just getting people to try them for the first time being the biggest challenge as most won’t be familiar with the brand at first.
“I had no intention of actually starting a business so as the saying goes “every cloud has a silver lining”
“This year will be the biggest year yet. We’re currently working with Mantzor marketing with a plan in place to start ramping up production and putting the bars into the bigger stores starting slowly and progressing over the next two years.”
Q4. What are your top ‘moments of joy’ over the past 4-5 years?
Some highlights that come to mind are the launch of the website and shipping all over Ireland. This has now also extended to shipping to the UK, Europe and America. Launching our sister companies ‘My Keto’ and ‘Honestly’ which are all under the 6 Pack Snacks umbrella.
We’ve recently also launched our gym clothing range called Honestly Apparel. We have also been accepted into the Lidl kick start twice but ended up turning it down as we didn’t feel like we were ready to meet demands but we now have everything in place so watch this space!
Q5. What does the future hold for your business?
This year will be the biggest year yet. We’re currently working with Mantzor marketing with a plan in place to start ramping up production and putting the bars into the bigger stores starting slowly and progressing over the next two years.
The slow ramp up will also allow sufficient time to take on new staff and train them up.
