Founder Spotlight: Lauren Abelin (PlantBaby)
Meet Lauren Abelin :
PlantBaby is a future-forward nutrition movement. The company is developing a portfolio of clean-label, organic, plant-based foods, beverages, formulas, and supplements to support children on their nutritional journey from infancy to adulthood. Founded in 2020 on Kauai, Hawaii, PlantBaby focuses on organic ingredients and regenerative farming practices to cultivate an awareness between people and the planet and bridge the connection between food and source. PlantBaby’s launch product, Kiki Milk, is a delicious and nutritious organic, dairy-free, and climate-friendly milk designed for kids and enjoyed by all.
Startup Stage:
Closed Pre-Seed Round Q1 '21, opening Seed Round in Q1 '22
Location:
Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii
When did you launch the business?
2018
What led you to where you are today?
Our journey to launch PlantBaby and Kiki Milk began after our son Alakai was born. After dealing with some health issues, Lauren could no longer breastfeed and started looking for clean-label, non-dairy, and non-soy infant formula options as a plan B, but she came up empty-handed and frustrated. Looking into the future as Alakai continued to grow, with his dairy and soy aversion in mind, we saw a wide gap in the plant-based food and beverage market for children. It became clear there were limited clean and nutritious options specifically for kids in this growing plant-based and dairy-free category. So we sought out to develop our own food and beverage brand in partnership with leading pediatrician Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh and nutritionist Vicki Kobliner, RD. As a result, PlantBaby was born to provide consumers with more transparent, nutritious, and sustainable food and beverage options.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
We wish we knew the complexity of the FDA. There are many nuances, both from a technical and policy perspective, that impact our product roadmap.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
Good question. It was actually the first moment of starting the business...my wife Lauren and I needed to consciously decide if we wanted to build a business together as Co-Founders. We were already managing an important new role as "Co-Parents," and we both had to feel really good about adding "Co-Founders" to our world. Starting a company with your wife is a considerable undertaking, but we both knew this business required us both and that ultimately doing this together, solving an issue we’re both passionate about, would create a stronger bond. We haven't looked back!
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
We would love to connect with individuals, families, companies, and organizations who share our mission to nourish, inform and empower future generations with access to real food. We are curious to learn more about what others are doing in the food, beverage, and nutrition space and possibly collaborate or find a way to support one another.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
Getting the word out about PlantBaby and Kiki Milk!
Fun fact about you:
When I was a kid, she wanted to be a veterinarian, specifically for ladybugs.
Read More On Our Blog
