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Ora Organic entered the Shark Tank in Season 8 with their fruit-flavored organic, plant-based supplements.
We interviewed CEO Will Smelko, a former strategy and operations consultant for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, who launched the company with his college friend Ronald Chang, who serves as their chef and COO. The duo spent two years on research and development, consulting with doctors, scientific researchers, nutritionists, health coaches, naturopaths and fitness experts to create the optimal supplement.
When asked about their bestselling products, Smelko responded, “Our bestsellers are our Omega-3 “Nothing Fishy Here” Spray, derived from microalgae and flavored with a special pineapple and citrus blend, and our “Way Better Than Whey” protein powders, flavored with Chai spices and vanilla.
Here’s what else he told us about…
Interested in Ora Organic? But their products here.
How the Idea Came About
We were taking supplements for personal health and wellness reasons, but struggled to find products that met the same standards we hold for our food: organic, non-GMO, plant-based and sustainably sourced. We felt impassioned to create an honest supplement line for our people and planet. We also wanted our customers to feel excited about taking supplements, which inspired us to create culinary-flavored formula blends through aesthetically-pleasing packaging and interesting delivery methods. As a team of individuals who adheres to conscious food and lifestyle choices, we wanted to ensure our supplements demonstrated these values. Ora Organic’s supplements are kind to our bodies, our environment, and our taste palettes!
What Makes Their Supplements Different
Ora Organic’s supplements differentiate from those in the mainstream, as we’ve developed 100 percent plant-based nutritional formulas. Our vegan-friendly supplement line sources its ingredients from organic farms to ensure the cleanest and most sustainable products possible. Ora Organic’s omega-3 supplement, for example, is derived from microalgae instead of fish (the primary source of the majority of omega-3 supplements on the market) and formulated into a spray. Likewise, all of Ora Organic’s products are carefully crafted to be as delicious as they are healthy. Our chef, Ronald Chang, uses vibrant flavors like pineapple, raspberry, and chai, in many of our recipe blends.
Why They Decided to Try Out for ‘Shark Tank’
As a team, we were ready for the next step in growing the Ora Organic brand. We have felt that one of the biggest issues in the supplement space has been the lack of transparency between companies and consumers, especially when it comes to the ingredients used in their supplement formulas. After seeing so many people being mislead in grocery stores and daily conversation, we realized the urgent need to raise awareness about the current state of the supplement industry-after all, these products are often consumed daily. We have received immense support in our company’s endeavors, and have reached a point at which we feel confident to expand our distribution and reach. Having known other company founders who were featured on Shark Tank and seeing the value-add that the Sharks provide, we wanted to go on the show to experience these benefits firsthand. We needed money to scale our business, and thought the Sharks would be amazing candidates to help us accomplish our goals and gain exposure.
Interested in Ora Organic? But their products here.
Other organic Shark Tank products:
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Angela Barbuti started her reporting career in the seventh grade at her middle school newspaper in Queens. She’s had lunch with Tony Danza, and Dave Franco said he liked her accent. Follow her on Twitter @angciao.February 24, 2017 7:05 pm
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