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

Hi Steffani, thanks for joining us today. Alright, let’s take a stroll on memory lane, back to when you were an apprentice or intern. What’s a memorable story from that time that you can share with us?

Back when I was an intern, I never imagined how much that experience would shape my career. It all started when my then-friend, now business partner, Evan Weber, was just starting Nakee & Co. We both worked at a night club in Royal Oak—Evan as a bouncer and me as a bottle service waitress. At the time, I was also a student at Wayne State University, studying public relations.

One night, amidst the hustle and bustle of the club, I mustered the courage to approach Evan. I knew he was passionate about his new venture, and I saw an opportunity to gain some real-world experience. I offered to intern with Nakee & Co., suggesting that I could help with social media, PR, writing for the website, and any other production or fulfillment tasks he needed.

That decision turned out to be a game-changer. Working hands-on with Nakee & Co. was incredibly enlightening. Unlike my peers who relied on hypothetical scenarios in their assignments, I brought real case studies and practical insights into my classes. I learned the intricacies of building a brand from the ground up, the nuances of effective communication, and the importance of adaptability and perseverance.

My contributions quickly became valuable to the company. Evan recognized my dedication and the skills I brought to the table. He eventually offered me equity in the company, which was an unbelievable milestone. Today, I am proud to be a co-owner of Nakee & Co.

It’s wild to reflect on how far we’ve come. Now, I find myself on the other side of the table, hiring interns to assist with marketing and fulfillment. It’s incredibly rewarding to mentor them and provide the same kind of hands-on experience that was so pivotal for me. Looking back, I realize how important it was to take that leap and put myself out there. The journey has been challenging but immensely fulfilling, and it all started with a simple offer to help a friend’s fledgling business.

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

For those who may not be familiar with my journey, I’d love to share a bit about myself and the unique path that led me to where I am today. My name is Steffani Traskos and I am a co-owner of Nakee & Co., a company dedicated to revolutionizing healthy snacking with our Nakee Butter Spreads with Benefits™. These are not your typical nut and seed butters—they’re infused with plant proteins, nootropics, and adaptogens to deliver specific health benefits.

My venture into this industry began in a rather unconventional way. While studying public relations at Wayne State University, I worked as a bottle service waitress at a nightclub in Royal Oak. My now-business partner and CEO of Nakee & Co., Evan Weber, was a bouncer there. One night, inspired by his entrepreneurial spirit and the potential I saw in his new company, I approached Evan and offered to intern with Nakee & Co. My role started with managing social media, PR, writing for the website, and helping with production and fulfillment. Today I still get to do all of those things and so much more now that I have a leadership role in the company.

Nakee & Co. addresses a significant gap in the market: the need for easy-to-understand, tasty, protein snack replacements that go beyond the standard protein bars. Our products use minimal, high-quality ingredients, avoiding the shortcuts and unnecessary additives that many big brands rely on. But our mission goes beyond just nutrition. We strive to encourage mindfulness, not just in what we eat, but as a daily practice. We promote finding strength through vulnerability, cultivating healthy habits, and most importantly, having fun while doing so.

What sets us apart is our commitment to these principles and the authenticity we bring to our products and brand. I’m most proud of how our team has managed to create a product that genuinely makes a difference in our customers’ lives, providing them with versatile, nutritious options that support their overall well-being.

To anyone considering our products, know that Nakee & Co. stands for more than just great taste. We are about fostering a community that values health, mindfulness, and joy in everyday life. Our journey is a testament to the power of taking chances, working hard, and staying true to one’s values. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious snack or inspiration to embrace a healthier lifestyle, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of my favorite marketing stories involves a bold and hilarious April Fools’ prank we pulled off in collaboration with Epic Races. The idea was to create buzz and have some fun while promoting Nakee Butter, and it turned out to be a smashing success.

We devised a scheme for a “Naked Run” event, where participants would supposedly run nude, fueled by Nakee Butter. We sent out a mass email and made social media posts announcing the event, complete with photoshopped images of marathon runners appearing nude, strategically covered by our product branding. The email and posts invited everyone to join this outrageous race, emphasizing that it was sponsored by Nakee & Co., who would be providing our delicious Nakee Butter as fuel for the brave runners.

The images and the concept were so convincingly playful that it generated immediate interest and curiosity. People couldn’t believe what they were seeing and eagerly clicked the link to find out more. Upon clicking, they were directed to a landing page that revealed it was an April Fools’ joke. However, we didn’t want to leave them empty-handed, so we included a special coupon code on that page for a discount on Nakee Butter.

The response was phenomenal. Not only did people get a good laugh out of the prank, but many also appreciated the clever marketing and took advantage of the discount code. The campaign generated a lot of traffic to our website and resulted in a significant boost in sales. It was amazing to see how a risky, humorous idea could capture people’s attention and translate into real business success.

That campaign is a testament to the power of creativity and the willingness to take risks in marketing. It taught us that sometimes, the most unconventional ideas can have the most impact. Plus, it reinforced our brand’s image as fun and engaging, all while driving sales in an unexpected way.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale can be challenging, but we’ve found a robust system that works well for us at Nakee & Co. We implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to streamline our company communication and ensure everyone stays on the same page.

EOS helps us organize the information shared across departments and team members, keeping the most vital information at the forefront. This system encourages tracking metrics in all areas of our business, and we maintain a “scorecard” to track our progress. We establish our quarterly goals, which are called “rocks,” and break them down into manageable pieces. Each rock is assigned to a team member to ensure accountability.

We hold brief meetings on a weekly basis and have daily check-ins called 5-minute standups. These practices help ensure everyone is on track for the day and address any issues promptly.

To maintain high morale, we’ve created a “personal scorecard” for our employees. This scorecard allows team members to identify and prioritize activities that are important for their personal well-being outside of work. By encouraging everyone to take care of themselves, we help our team stay balanced and motivated.

Additionally, we foster a fun and engaging work environment. We encourage playfulness, open communication, dancing, and celebrating wins. To further build camaraderie, we have at least bi-annual company outings, which help our team get to know each other on a more personal level. These outings have included activities like going out to eat, ax-throwing, arcade visits, and movies.

Implementing EOS and focusing on personal well-being, along with creating a fun and supportive work culture, has been instrumental in keeping our team motivated and aligned with our company goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nakee.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakeebutter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nakeebutter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nakee-co/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NakeeButter
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nakeebutter

Image Credits
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT — Photo by Braden Latimer