Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Raha Jamalian-Hershey, founder and CEO of MA-HA VIRTUE, located in Alamo, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We wanted to live in our own fairytale when it came to food and beverages. MA-HA means us in Farsi. Our customers are women and men who care to feed their families with healthy products that taste magical. The health benefits of our products are incredible.

We have a health chart that we can provide you with as well. We are a women/mother empowered business adamant about products with no added sugar. Ancient remedies and unforgettable tastes that we still remember from our childhood and travels.

We got inspired to tell our story as a fairy tale. Once, there was a land filled with beautiful gardens, healthy, delicious fruits, and magical flowers. The MA-HA Fairies, which is us who lived there, wanted to share their bounty with the world, spreading love and magical ingredients to everyone.

Tell us about yourself

My first motivation is the health of my child, family, and friends. Since we started MA-HA VIRTUE in December of 2020, I’ve been amazed and very humbled by the number of friends, family, children, and guests, who have asked us how we find our “stuff,” meaning MA-HA Juices, Saff-Stachios, Mixology, and most importantly our Saffron. The next question is always how do they make it exactly as we do at home.

As individuals at MA-HA VIRTUE, we have learned a lot over time. The traditions we grew up with have become our virtues and inspired senses.
Every meal we make for our family and friends is a little different than the last. Every drink we make is a touch more individual to each and everyone’s taste. From how to entertain our children and friends to make our guests feel happy and fed.

We believe happiness does have a taste at MA-HA VIRTUE.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I believe that over 90 focus groups of all genders, nationalities, and different taste buds have tried our products, and we didn't have one person who didn't like our products. However, on every show, pop-up shop, and mixology class, we have been honored with " This is the best...I have ever tasted." That makes me, as a business owner, very fulfilled and humbled.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being a woman. As a start-up, we have invested a lot of money of our own into the business. It is hard to excel in business at the pace that we like when we don't have the support we need as a women-owned business that has been in business less than two years. However, we are strong and will continue to make MA-HA VIRTUE a household name and virtue for those who appreciate us.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Never settle!
  2. The world steps aside for those who know where they are going!
  3. I believe not the strongest or the fastest win the race but the one that honestly thinks they can do it!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am honored to be interviewed, and cannot wait for you to try our beautiful gourmet portfolio.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://mahavirtue.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maha_virtue_official/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raha-jamalian-hershey-66391b232/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.