We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia Malek. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophia below.
Hi Sophia, thanks for joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?
I came up with my concepts in 2016… I launched in 2023. I had such a deep rooted fear of failure around my concept, it held me back from starting for so long. I really believe timing is everything- I had to go through all the experiences I did in those 7 years to be ready to start Bad Nutrition. Once I did launch, there were so many moments of what felt like failure! Our first production shift was 17 hours with my husband… so, incredibly brutal. I didn’t think I’d be able to make the concept work. It really beat me down. I think whats kept me going in those moments of feeling like theres no hope or the times I’ve maybe lost joy in the process i feel like the universe has sent me crumbs to keep going in different forms- A customer reaching out to tell us how much they like our product, a friend checking in. I think the process of continuous failures in the beginning really helps you to understand that failing is helpful and forces you to be smarter, more efficient or to reassess whether something will work for you long-term.
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.
I Started Bad Nutrition Chia Pudding in 2023 as a reformed nutritionist, new mom and staunch feminist tired of diet cultures bullshit. Our Chia Pudding is inherently nutritious and unabashedly delicious- because compromising health for flavor is not an option. We pair together organic, black chia seeds and a deeply luscious coconut cream with organic cane sugar and notes of vanilla to make our chia pudding the best base for any bowl, perfect snack on-the-go or a little treat at the end of the day.
When it comes to the business, of course I am proud of our product- it’s take so much love and labor to create! I am also insanely proud and feel so lucky to be able to step into my own potential- to trust myself and be able to dive into the creativity having your own brand gives you. I joke that Bad Nutrition lets me step into my highest Sasha Fierce energy but it’s true! I feel like my best self running Bad Nutrition and I am so thankful for the opportunity to bring chia to peoples lives and hopefully make a comment on diet culture in our food systems as a whole.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
We manufacture all of our products- It’s been such a journey! One of my biggest fears about launching the business was doing the manufacturing of the product- I didn’t think I was capable and generally, had a negative feeling around the process. I think manufacturing my own product has given me so much confidence in what we make. There has been so much science and testing that has gone on, I think coming to a place of being so intimately aware of all our processes has given me a deep confidence about our brand as a whole! Ironically, now I need to remind myself to hand off manufacturing things more often because I enjoy the work- I love how much of an evolution has come through the process and I highly recommend anyone considering a co-manufacuter to attempt to make and master their product on their own to start.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I dont have a cofounder or partner and I sometimes think longingly about what it would be like! I have two young kids (4&2) and a super busy (and supportive!) partner- It’s so difficult to balance my competing priorities. Everything feels essential. What I am trying to foster is being present in what I am doing in this moment- a block for work? DND and a timer. Post-pickup pre-bedtime? No phones, make dinner and play with my kids. Its a practice I am trying to get better at every day.
I have moments of really wishing I had the support of a business partner but I also love the freedom I have being solo. I have also been able to create an insanely supportive crew of friends and family that help me so much. Who knows that the future holds but for now, I am an island but its a fun (albeit crazy at times) island!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.badbrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badnutritionchia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bad-nutrition/
Image Credits
https://www.theyeticornproject.com/ Gracie Ryan
https://www.leesarenae.com/ Leesa Renae