Muse Series No 8: Lilian from Mumgry

Muse Series No 8: Lilian from Mumgry

Meet Lilian, founder of Mumgry, a Vancouver based food company on a mission to create ethically sourced, naturally delicious plant-based snacks. We talk about all things sustainability in business, what a typical day looks like, and shares her best advice to budding entrepreneurs. 

 

What is your story? 

I grew up in a big family in Vancouver and prior to Mumgry I worked for several companies in different industries but most recently a tech and game company. 


What inspired you to start your Mumgry? How did you get started?

When I was pregnant and working I would always go to the grocery store during my breaks for snacks. I noticed a lack of snacks that considered the mother diet.  I was hungry and pregnant and one day after work I went home and complained to my husband about being “Mumgry” and he looked at me like I was crazy.

My cravings for peanut butter were strong and after talking with my gynaecologist I learned about the incredible benefits of nuts not just for moms-to-be but for everyone.  I began snack prepping and finding ways to simplify snacks and include only the good stuff.


Why is sustainability important to you? What is your mission with your platform?

Children. Children need to grow up in a healthy environment and practice sustainability from an early age.

Education on sustainability is vital and we plan to use our platform to re-educate people and share new ways to practice sustainability. We want to bring experts and educators on our podcast to provide real life examples of how we can conserve more and change habits that are unfriendly to earth.  


You and your bestie Izzy do the “Mumgry Podcast” where you share experiences about all things Motherhood and the important stuff that’s happening in real life. Where do you see the Mumgry Podcast a year from now? 

More guests, more episodes per month and more thought provoking information being shared by professionals in different fields. 


What does a typical day look like?

I have a book coming out in the distant future that explains this in fine detail tentatively titled, “Organized Chaos” and I want Martha Stewart to write the foreword. I wish I was kidding. I love journaling and this is a concept that I’ve had since highschool and I’m determined to finish it.


Favorite part of your job? 

Seeing people genuinely happy after eating Mumgry. 


Most challenging part about running your own business?

Achieving some form of balance between work, family life and remembering self-care. 


Best advice for someone just starting to learn how to transition into a more sustainable, plant-based lifestyle?

Journal your day and google away! Journal a typical day on earth for you. Write down as many details as possible. What do you wake up to? The sound of an alarm clock plugged into the wall, a cell phone alarm or the sunlight peeking through your blinds. Do you flick on your bedside table lamp or open up your blinds. How much laundry is in your basket? What soap do you use? What type of packaging does your food come in? What are you eating? Once you journal a full day in your life you gain visibility on areas where you can improve and then you Google ways to practice sustainability in each area of your daily routine.


If you weren’t running your business, what would you be doing?

Attempting to finish writing “Organized Chaos”.


What has been one of the most rewarding experiences being in your line of work so far?

Hearing how our product has changed people's perception and ideas about nut butters forever always makes us happy.


Best piece of advice to others that are wanting to start their own business?

Believe in your business ideas more than anyone else. Just do it (thanks Nike) and then select complete strangers to be your first 100 customers and assess their feedback. 


Life motto you live by?

“Just try.” - Dr. MJ Rwigema (My cousin and one of the smartest people I’ve ever known).


What’s next for you and Mumgry?!

We have a series called “The Mumgry Shop Tour” which is being released soon. It features unique cafes, small shops and online groceries around the world and shows viewers how these businesses have adapted to the pandemic to better serve the community. Updates on our IG for release date.

 

Keep up with Lilian over on Instagram @mumgry :)

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