Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Daly Farrell.
Hi Kim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Oh, gosh, where to start? I’m a certified health coach, former magazine editor, brand marketer, and mom to two amazing kids. And I recently added product formulator and entrepreneur to my resume.
After the birth of my son in 2014, I had a tough time balancing the energy needs of my body. I wasn’t able to make enough breastmilk, work out daily, and still feel energized. I discovered I wasn’t getting enough protein, so I turned to supplements for a boost.
I looked at nearly every protein powder on the shelves—the chalky, the stinky, the bitter, the chemical-ridden. Many of them weren’t safe for breastfeeding, and the ones that were didn’t address the fitness performance I was looking for. I wanted something plant-based that would support muscle recovery, ease soreness, and protect my breast milk supply. So I made my own blend with superfoods and other wholesome ingredients—and Mama Love Chocolate Protein was born!
The formula proved to be perfect for me, and I relied on it again when my daughter arrived in 2018. That’s when I thought there might be other fitness-loving moms out there who could benefit from the safe, plant-based performance nutrition I was whirling in my blender.
I founded Mama Love LLC in 2019 and took my homemade protein recipe to the next level. I built an advisory board to review and verify my product, and I found a contract manufacturer willing to take a chance on a new company with small runs. Mama Love Chocolate Protein is now made in a state-of-the-art facility in DFW, using largely organic, all-natural ingredients that are backed by science to support muscle recovery and breast milk production. It’s available online at MamaLove.us, where I also serve up protein-powered recipes and fitness advice for moms.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a company and building a brand is a slow grind—much slower than I had anticipated. I initially launched with Mama Love Chocolate Protein and I had big plans to quickly introduce more flavors and product options. But, while sales have been steady and continue to build, it wasn’t the explosive success I had envisioned. I’m still very excited about where Mama Love is going, but I’ve had to learn to temper that enthusiasm a bit and relax into a more realistic pace.
I also made a packaging mistake in the beginning. The pouches for my first run didn’t come out the way they should have—the glue was failing on the sides and at the zipper, and, unfortunately, the company I had contracted to produce them didn’t accept responsibility. I scrambled to find other packaging suppliers and get new bids and ultimately had new pouches made. It was an expensive mistake, but I’ve learned not to immediately go with the cheapest offer and to always put samples through rigorous testing before placing an order.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mama Love?
Mama Love makes plant-based, performance nutrition for badass mothers. A new mom is bombarded with a lot of conflicting messages about what her body needs to look like and how she should be fueling herself. But no matter how many extra pounds diet culture says she’s carrying, the post-partum period is not the time to go on a strict, low-calorie eating plan. In reality, if she chooses to breastfeed and work out, that mama needs to increase her calories and ramp up the amount of protein she’s eating daily.
It’s my goal for Mama Love to empower lactating women with safe, performance-driven nutrition. Mama Love Chocolate Protein is a carefully curated blend of superfoods and whole-food ingredients. It’s plant-based because many women have to avoid dairy when they’re breastfeeding (dairy proteins transfer directly through breast milk and can upset baby’s tummy), and it contains known galactagogues that work to protect mom’s milk supply. Plus, probiotics to support digestion and the immune system and healthy fiber for sustained energy.
I’m proud of the ingredients in Mama Love Chocolate Protein, and I’m just as proud of what I left out. There’s no sugar, stevia, or artificial sweeteners, so moms won’t experience the highs and lows of a blood sugar spike. And I left out preservatives and fillers—why put something in your body that has no intention of doing something good for you?
I’m also looking for ways to give back to the community. Mama Love recently partnered with MilkSpace LLC on an initiative to support low-income Black mothers in the Dallas area. I want every mom to have access to good nutrition and to be able to breastfeed for as long as she and her baby feel is best.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m a big fan of KERA, our local NPR station, and the segment-turned-podcast “How I Built This with Guy Raz” is my favorite—I think I’ve streamed nearly every episode! Listening to other entrepreneurs talk about their business journeys is really inspiring and reassuring for me.
I also read a lot of books on nutrition and cooking, which helps me dream up new recipes for Mama Love Chocolate Protein. I’m posting a delicious chocolate beet muffin on my blog this month. It’s so much fun to go beyond smoothies!
Pricing:
- Mama Love Chocolate Protein, 20-serving pouch, $64.99
- Mama Love Chocolate Protein, 10-serving pouch, $38.49
- Mama Love On-the-Run kit, $15
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@mamalove.us
- Website: https://mamalove.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamaloveprotein/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MamaLoveProtein
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MamaLoveProtein
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-4ObjieUt501dPnf48f2og
Image Credits
Mama Love LLC
