Vitamins by & for Melanated People

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and supplements but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Harmon, Founder of Mela Vitamins Inc., located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

Mela Vitamins is the first and only wellness company custom formulating supplements for melanated people. Melanin impacts how our bodies absorb certain vitamins, which means we have unique nutritional needs that are not met by other multivitamins on the market. We are committed to creating clean, accessible, and effective products - we are third-party tested and certified vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free, never using harmful fillers or additives. In July, we launched our first product - our Daily Essentials multivitamin for women- combining the vitamins and probiotics that support immunity, digestion, blood sugar management, and mental focus. We sell our products directly to customers through our website and subscription service, as well as in other online marketplaces and in-store retailers in the Los Angeles area.

Tell us about yourself

I have been formulating my own supplements for the past decade. I struggled with many health and digestion issues in college linked to vitamin deficiencies. My doctor recommended a mix of vitamins and supplements that were effective but cost over $150 a month. This was not sustainable as a college student, so I learned how to mix my own supplements.

I graduated college, started my consulting career in Washington, DC, and eventually moved to LA to work in startups and media. Fast forward to 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I saw firsthand how communities of color were disproportionately impacted. That same year, all the major health organizations released studies linking Vitamin D deficiency to increased risk of severe COVID-19. It is estimated that 76-90% of melanated people are Vitamin D deficient, so this has a huge impact on my community.

I started looking for supplements to recommend to my family that had enough Vitamin D and other essential nutrients, were affordable, and didn't contain harmful fillers. And I couldn't find a single one! That's what inspired me to create Mela Vitamins. Every day I am motivated to create products that empower my community to prioritize wellness and live healthier lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We spent a year conducting consumer focus groups and collaborating with healthcare providers of color to formulate our Daily Essentials Multivitamin, which launched in July 2022. With all of the difficulties of manufacturing during a pandemic, we were able to launch a product that we are proud of and have received amazing feedback about. This was such a huge accomplishment to create a new product and niche within the supplement industry that really helps improve people's lives.

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

Being a business owner is amazing - you get to build things, create a brand and community, and set a vision for what you want the company to be. With that freedom also comes a lot of responsibility and uncertainty. The revenue isn't always consistent, challenges happen, and it is a constant hustle.

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

Create products or services that are actually solving a problem or making someone's life better.
Set boundaries for yourself - there are times to push, but there must be times to rest.
Enjoy the journey - there will be ups and downs, but you have to learn how to enjoy the entire journey and celebrate the small wins.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://melavitamins.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melavitamins
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melavitamins/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/melavitamins
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/melavitamins/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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