Gemma Wilson, or Gem, is the founder of VALA a brand new sports energy gel for cyclists, runners, walkers, and anybody else who’s active, and wants, or needs, fuel when exercising.

In this episode of The Eat Your Greens podcast, Gem shares both her own, and, the VALA story. We talk everything from the inspiration for the business and the development of the gel itself, to Gem’s key learnings, working with experts to accelerate the growth of her  business, why everybody should have a mentor and what it’s really like to launch a new sports brand during a global pandemic.

Gem also explains why she is so passionate about the links between physical, mental and gut health, how she’s re-trained as a personal trainer and the tactics she’s deploying to get the perfect “work/life balance.”

This episode is jam-packed with practical help for anybody interested in setting up their own business or simply wanting to learn more about building a brand from scratch, whilst, at the same time, trying to live a healthier, happier life.

To find out more about Gem and VALA, head to @valaenergy on Instagram or valaenergy.com.

Show notes:

01:53 – 03:00 – Gem explains what VALA is.

03:01 – 06:15 – Gem tell us what inspired her to create the VALA energy gel.

06:16 – 09:41 – Gem talks us through the ingredients in the VALA gel, how she developed the recipe and who helped her create the final iteration available to buy today.

09:42 – 11:32 – We ask Gem: what makes the VALA energy gel unique?

11:33 – 14:57 – Gem explains how she created a logo that incorporates the brand’s values.

14:58 – 16:01 – Gem tells us what the key stages in the development of VALA were

16:02 – 18:22 – Gem shares those pieces of advice which proved particularly useful to her.

18:23 – 19:38 – Gem tell us when she knew it was time to leave the day job and go all in on VALA.

19:39 – 21:39 – Gem explains what she would do differently if she knew then what she knows now.

21:40 – 27:30 – Gem talks us through how she’s using social media to build the VALA brand and its community.

27:31 – 31:56 - We ask Gem 5 quick-fire questions (spoiler – it ends up being more than 5 questions!).

31:57 – 36:53 – Gem explains what tactics she deploys to manage the “work/life” balance.