We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shaina Zazzaro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shaina below.

Shaina , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

Yes, I’ve failed—and it changed everything. About six months after starting my company, Effortlessly Healthy, I found myself homeless and nearly bankrupt. I had risked everything to build something that mattered, and I hit rock bottom. In that moment, I created something I now call The One More Minute Rule™: when you feel like giving up, give it one more minute. Take one more breath. Find one more reason to keep going. That mindset helped me push through instead of walking away. That failure didn’t end my story—it became the foundation of my greatest growth. Today, Effortlessly Healthy is a multimillion-dollar business, but its success was born from the resilience I found in one minute of not quitting.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Shaina Zazzaro, and I’m the founder and CEO of Effortlessly Healthy, a multimillion-dollar food service company built on the mission of making healthy eating convenient, accessible, and affordable for everyone. I started this business in 2013 with little more than a vision, a relentless work ethic, and a deep personal understanding of what it feels like to struggle. Just six months in, I found myself homeless and nearly bankrupt—but I refused to give up. That pivotal moment inspired what I now call The One More Minute Rule™: when you feel like quitting, give it one more minute of faith, effort, and belief. That mindset changed the course of my life.

Effortlessly Healthy began as a small meal prep service and has since grown into a trusted provider of fresh meal delivery, catering, food truck services, and community nutrition programs. We partner with hospitals, schools, municipalities, and nonprofits to tackle food insecurity, promote wellness, and serve diverse populations in need of reliable, nutritious meals. From older adults in Monroe County to busy families and corporate clients, we solve the problem of access—access to healthy food, to time-saving solutions, and to support systems that care.

What sets us apart is our genuine commitment to impact. We’re not just a food company—we’re a mission-driven organization rooted in lived experience. I’ve lost over 60 pounds three separate times, so I know how difficult and personal the health journey can be. I’ve lived through financial hardship, so I understand the importance of affordability and dignity in service. Every product and program we create is designed to meet people where they are—with compassion, excellence, and no shortcuts.

What I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come without compromising who we are. Effortlessly Healthy is now recognized as one of Rochester’s Top 100 companies, and I’ve had the honor of speaking on stages to inspire others through my story. But the real pride comes from watching people’s lives change—when someone eats better, feels better, and realizes they are worthy of health, success, and joy.

To anyone discovering my brand or my work for the first time, I want you to know this: everything I do—whether it’s a meal, a speech, a scholarship, or a coaching session—is rooted in resilience. If I can rise from rock bottom and build something beautiful, so can you. And I’m here to help you do it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining traits of my journey has been resilience, not because things have been easy—but because I didn’t have the option to give up. I remember the day my sister overdosed. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life, but I still had a business to run. I had no money, no backup plan, and not enough staff to cover for me. I cried in private, pulled myself together, and kept working—because if I didn’t, everything I had built would fall apart.

Another example was when I gave birth to my daughter. I took just one day off and was right back at it. Not out of ambition, but necessity—I couldn’t afford to stop. I had no paid leave, no deep bench of support, and a mission I refused to walk away from. Those moments taught me what true resilience looks like: pushing forward when it would be easier to quit, and choosing purpose even in pain. That grit is the heartbeat of Effortlessly Healthy—and it’s what continues to fuel everything I do.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped build my reputation within my market was a relentless commitment to showing up, no matter what. From the very beginning, I prioritized consistency, reliability, and genuine care—whether I was delivering meals myself, speaking to a room of students, or managing orders late at night. I didn’t have a big budget or flashy marketing; I had heart, hustle, and a belief that if I overdelivered and stayed authentic, people would remember me. I also built trust by being transparent about my journey—the highs and the hardships—and by always leading with service over sales. That combination of vulnerability, grit, and unwavering follow-through is what truly built the foundation of my brand and reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ehmeals.com
• Instagram: ehmeals / shainazazzaro / mrsnyamerican2025
• Facebook: Effortlessly Healthy
• Linkedin: Shaina Zazzaro
• Youtube: Shaina Zazzaro

Image Credits

Joshua Carruba (black half top pic with meal)
Christopher Cardwell (pageant photos)
Mike Dinardo (golisano picture)
Maggie Coleman (junior achievement pic)