Here's the power of
The HopeFULL Company:
What might look like cute little homemade Popsicles actually pack a
striking amount of nutrition, making them perfect for people with
chronic illnesses or cancer. They can even be used to win over finicky
kids.
The idea of making a frozen treat that addresses nutritional
deficiencies came to sisters Jessica Welsch and Stephanie Williams
about three years ago, when a friend of the family was diagnosed with
leukemia. As the friend underwent chemotherapy, she lost her appetite
so dramatically that she couldn't stand even the smell of food. Since
the sisters had been cooking up homemade baby food for each of their
daughters, they knew they could come up with an innovation that could
help.
Since the treats are frozen, they don't have much of an aroma, and the
sisters' recipes blended together healthy foods like beets, sweet
potatoes, and kale. They became a hit--not just with the family friend,
but among many in their community, and the sisters decided to create a
whole foods firm based on the pops, The HopeFULL Company.
Instead of trying to sell the frozen treats themselves, the
entrepreneurs created a company that sells kits online for making the
nutritious pops. Launched in November 2010, HopeFULL does online sales
of the kits. Welsch says, "Trying to bring a food product to market is
tough, so with this business model, we created a way to get our idea to
the marketplace in a better way."
The pair have been excited to grow the company together, adds Williams.
"We've known for a long time that we'd end up having a business
together. We feel like our business found us, and fortunately, we work
really well together."
Although the pops were originally developed for people who have
difficulty eating due to chemotherapy, the frozen HopeFULLs are
becoming popular with a wide audience. After all, who wouldn't
appreciate a company that can make frozen beets appealing?
Sources: Jessica Welsch and Stephanie Williams, The HopeFULL Company
Writer: Elizabeth Millard