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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
It's not everybody who can experience a complete career change from a financial background to create a successful organic and natural products company with distribution in major grocery outlets across the U.S. Yet, that's the story for Stephen Richards, owner and founder of Better Body Foods in Lindon.
Stephen built the business himself from the ground up and is one of the hardest workers you'll ever meet. Better Body Foods also started because Stephen loved cooking. He comes from a family of diabetics and was always looking for better ways to manage the health concern. So, he created his first product, Agave nectar, a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index so it doesn't spike blood sugar. He connected with Bosch kitchen stores to distribute the product and was invited to start teaching classes.
However, Better Body Foods really took off a short time later when Stephen was invited to demonstrate at the largest housewares manufacturer show in the U.S., held in Chicago. That's when he connected with major grocery retailers. His product now has nationwide distribution and is known throughout the industry.
In the last year Better Body Foods has experienced dramatic growth following the creation and release of additional products beyond their original offering. And by dramatic, they mean over 400 percent. For example, Stephen caught onto the coconut trend as it was taking off and created products like coconut oil, coconut flour and coconut palm sugar. Locally you can find Better Body Foods products in grocery chains like Harmon's, Smith's, Associated Foods affiliates and Sam's Club.
Better Body Foods is also offering Quinoa, chia seeds and a product they created called PBFit, a protein powder to be used as a substitute for Peanut Butter. It has similar nutritional benefits but fewer calories.
The company employs between 70 to 80 employees, and they're housed in a 40,000 square foot facility in Lindon, doing the packing and shipping themselves. In fact, the company has grown to the point Stephen recently brought on a brand new COO to handle the operations side of the business.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Better Body Foods 1762 W. 20 South, Unit 5 Lindon, UT 84082 866-404-6582 www.betterbodyfoods.com
