Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hope Skouras. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hope , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I set out to start a business, I had no idea it would lead me to becoming the founder of a CPG product. I created my Instagram account, “The Whole Hope,” while I was studying to become a health coach because I wanted to share all that I was learning with others. The “Whole” represents health encompassing your body, mind, and spirit. The “Hope” represents my name and my hope to inspire others to never take their health for granted.

When my product “Lemon Swirls” came along, I was actually calling them lemon cubes. My older sister kindly pointed out that they weren’t in a cube shape and so we landed on: Lemon Swirls! This is the perfect name for the product because beyond the ease it brings to drinking lemon water, I’ve always wanted them to be more than that. My hope is that sipping a morning Lemon Swirl becomes a moment in the morning routine to pause and swirl an intention into your cup which in turn sets the tone for the day ahead.

Hope , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The idea for my business came from a deeply personal place—my lifelong journey with digestive health and my passion for holistic wellness.

My struggle with Crohn’s disease began when I was diagnosed at 17. Over the years, I managed symptoms with medication, but after giving birth to my third child in 2020, I experienced a flare-up. It was a turning point for me. Rather than relying solely on conventional medicine, I turned to functional medicine and holistic healing. I became a certified integrative nutrition health coach and started sharing my wellness journey, including my daily practice of drinking warm lemon water, through my Instagram account @thewholehope.

As I shared the benefits of lemon water, I kept hearing the same response from others: they wanted to incorporate it into their routines but found the process too time-consuming. That realization sparked an idea. In my own kitchen, I began experimenting with ways to make lemon water more convenient, ultimately developing Lemon Swirls—frozen, lemon-shaped ‘swirls’ made with organic lemon juice, turmeric, ginger, and honey. When dissolved in warm or cold water, Lemon Swirls provide hydration, digestive support, immune-boosting benefits, and a dose of antioxidants.

Lemon Swirls are available for purchase online at thewholehope.com, with local pickup options in Charlotte. They are also sold at a variety of local retail partners, where they routinely sell out. Plans are underway to expand shipping throughout the Carolinas in 2025 and, eventually, nationwide.

The Whole Hope is more than just a product; it’s a reflection of my belief in holistic wellness and my desire to help others on their own health journeys. I’ve been encouraged by mentors to “trust my gut”—a phrase that resonates deeply given my personal health history. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my passion turn into a business that empowers people to take control of their well-being, one cup of Lemon Swirls at a time.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The Whole Hope’s Lemon Swirl journey is a 110% complete pivot for my life! I felt like I was taking a risk when I decided to become a certified health coach vs remaining a stay at home mom, but now I see I was just merely scratching the surface! If I am being honest, I have never seen myself as a business woman or founder but here I am today, doing both of those things. Personally, this business has created a huge shift in my mindset. I am learning more about myself every day along with the insane knowledge I have gained re: the food & beverage industry. I do business differently than most. I make decisions with a lot of intentionality behind them vs. doing what the world says I should do to grow and scale.

I know my strengths and my weaknesses and I am not afraid to delegate when needed. I believe in this brand and the product (and products to come). I know how to connect with my customers and I strive to be authentic and open every step of the way. While my entire life has pivoted through this journey, it has been a fulfilling experience stepping into this version of myself. I know firsthand that you can be a mom and you can have a career OR you can be a mom and stay at home and one is not better than the other, both are beautiful and wonderful and should be celebrated.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Lemon Swirls are currently manufactured in a commercial kitchen in Charlotte, NC. I have a small team behind me and we do all of the production ourselves. My business began in January 2024 so we are still in the thick of finding a vendor to manufacture for us and practicing patience vs. forcing something to come along. When I say I knew nothing about food manufacturing when I started this business, I mean I knew nothing. I still learn something daily but we’re doing it! A lot patience, Google, and connecting with others in the industry have been the most helpful tools for growth.

When Lemon Swirls launched, I was making and selling them out of my home. I quickly realized I needed some advice and called on a business school friend of my husband’s, Richard Reutter, who is the president of Caroline’s Cakes in Spartanburg, SC. Richard had me come down to the bakery and was able to offer me a space to work and produce the product. I did that for a majority of the first year. I have many fond memories of traveling with a cooler of lemons in my trunk down to Spartanburg. I would make as many Lemon Swirls as I could and then go back down the next day to package them up. I’d bring the Swirls back to Charlotte in a cooler with dry ice (and cracked windows). The lessons I learned at Caroline’s Cakes are invaluable, seeing how someone else runs a successful DTC business was inspiring and informative.

In terms of what I have learned about manufacturing a product, I can say with confidence that maintaining the integrity of the product is of upmost importance to me. Finding the right vendor to manufacture your product is a big deal. It feels oddly personal as if you’re handing off this little being you’ve created for someone else to take the lead on. Trust is critical and finances are too. It’s a bit of a dance to find the right fit, especially for such a specialty & frozen product like Lemon Swirls. Rushing the process has never been something I am interested in, easeful expansion is the name of the game for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thewholehope.com
• Instagram: thewholehope
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-davis-skouras-670a94304/