We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Greg Garcia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Greg, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I believe that each of us have a duty to leave this world in a better place than when we found it. I hope my legacy reflects that, in the ways I live my life, be it through the way that I raise my children to think, love, care, and dream, through the service that I’ve given to my community over the course of my life, or even in creating a new and better for you ice cream bar.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Proletas Protein Ice Cream came about as a way to combine a few of the concepts that I believe and and pray for: happy, and healthy.
I found fitness, specifically CrossFit, almost fifteen years ago, and it came into my life when I really needed it. I was not living a healthy lifestyle, and was doing some of the most dangerous work I’ve ever done in my life. When I started to physical journey to being healthy, I also uncovered the mental aspects that come with it, such as grit, determination, mental toughness, and intentionality. It has quite literally changed my life. Maybe even saved it.
In my efforts to maximize the physical side by eating better, and at certain times, I learned about the post workout window: a time of around an hour after intense exercise when your body is primed for nutrient uptake. I learned that eating protein and a quick digesting carbohydrate in this time frame could lead to better muscular recovery and growth.
I also learned that greek yogurt wasn’t what I wanted to eat, right after a hardcore workout session.
I am human, and I have a sweet tooth. What I thought, in that hot and sweaty moment, is that an ice cream bar sounded so good.
But I didn’t want to wreck my gains, or throw away any opportunity to eat right.
At that point in my life, I had also started listening to God, and the universe, and at that moment, He told me, Why not a healthy ice cream ?”
And away we went!
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
We are a manufacturer. However, we have an amazing co-packer who produces our ice cream bars for us. When we first started, I knew how to make a popsicle, and was able to whip up a product in my home kitchen that was what I was looking for.
However, I didn’t know anything about making a commercial recipe, or health code permits, or even if my concept of a high protein ice cream bar was even viable.
I looked into local companies that made a similar product, and found one that was able to make small batches. They make a great product (a traditional Mexican style ice cream on a stick, a paleta), and are a small family owned business. We were able to figure out it out together, and while its a learning process, it coming together quite well.
The best lesson I’ve learned from working with a co-packer is to have open lines of communication, and ask for grace. Its a relationship, and getting those right often takes a bit of back and forth. Especially for me.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients has been from word of mouth from my existing clients. Its easier to reach out to someone if a valued friend that they have already vouches for you.
We make a great product, that solves a variety of problems for different people, but that doesn’t mean that that person trust you yet, especially if they don’t know you or haven’t heard of you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PROLETAS.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/proletas
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/proteinpaletas
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proletas-protein-ice-cream
- Other: https://range.me/YBGYH2GBU9RknvUxMhJ-Og
Image Credits
Jenn Garcia Aubry Pederson