Brittany grew up with a great appreciation for natural ingredients and their healing power. After training at Le Cordon Bleu and Michelin-starred restaurants, health issues brought the Malibu native back to her roots.
She finally found relief by eliminating dairy, nuts, gluten, and soy from her diet. Of course, that also ruled out milk and most substitutes. That’s when Chef Brittany decided to craft her very own alternative with pure, unrefined flaxseeds. Now, we all get to enjoy the benefits — and deliciousness — of her Malibu Mylk.
Recently, we caught up with Brittany to learn more about her journey and hear her advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
01 Why did you start Malibu Mylk?
I started Malibu Mylk just as I was starting my own family. I was having trouble getting pregnant so I examined my diet to see if there were any improvements I could make. Ultimately, I went on an Autoimmune Protocol diet, which meant eliminating lots of potential allergens.
When I looked for a clean alternative milk, I was disappointed to find that many of the plant-based milks were derived from pesticide-covered crops. They didn’t offer any real nutrition either. Rather than settling for what was available, I decided to create an allergen-free mylk made from the ancient superfood, flax. We use whole ground organic flaxseed and we don’t strain anything out to provide a TON of nutrition in every glass!
02 What obstacles did you face along the way?
1,000,000 obstacles! From finding a co-packer, to getting into new stores, to marketing the product, it was a never-ending challenge. I had to make manufacturing runs at 1am all by myself while I was pregnant. Then, during the pandemic, we had to deal with shipping delays and sourcing issues.
The list goes on and on, but these are the challenges that come with running your own business. Things rarely go according to plan so you always have to be ready to adapt.
03 What lessons do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Just keep swimming! Take it one day at a time. It’s such a roller coaster ride but you’ve got a fighting chance if you truly believe in your mission.
04 What’s on the horizon for Malibu Mylk?
We have incredible single serve coffee and matcha drinks in the works. Beyond that, we’re constantly working on ways to improve. We love creating products that are good for our bodies and our planet!
05 How do you keep work/life balance? What drives/inspires you?
Work/life balance is the ultimate challenge, especially as a working mom. My social life has definitely taken a backseat to my career. Still, I’m working on being more present in the moment so I can be the best possible mother, wife, friend, and founder.
I love the freedom of being an entrepreneur. Being my own boss means I’m able to work from home and have lunch with my son on most days. I’ve also found the courage to establish barriers — that means prioritizing family time and saying no to things on occasion so that I can spend that time with my child. I also make date nights with my husband a priority.
Flaxseed milk helped tremendously when I was experiencing health issues. Now, with Malibu Mylk, I’m driven to help everyone feel their absolute best.
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