We were lucky to catch up with Megan & Ben recently and have shared our conversation below.
Megan & Ben , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Our purpose can be traced back to our time living in Bali, Indonesia. After graduating from college in 2020, we decided to move to Bali, where we ended up living for three years. It was in Bali that we truly embraced a holistic lifestyle, both physically and mentally. The vibrant culture and like-minded community around us were constant sources of inspiration, motivating us to become the best versions of ourselves. During our time in Bali, we made significant changes to our lives, especially regarding what we put into our bodies. The positive impact was so profound that we felt compelled to share this experience with others. Functional mushrooms became a daily staple for us, but we realized that many people were unaware of their benefits and that there weren’t many convenient, truly healthy options available. This realization sparked the idea for üm. We wanted to create something that addressed the modern challenge of balancing a hectic lifestyle with mindful nourishment. Every can of üm is a call to action, inspiring individuals to embrace better daily habits and do the things that they love as the best version of themselves.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
We launched üm in February 2024 with a mission to not only provide a functional mushroom beverage that helps people feel great but also to cultivate a community that inspires and motivates everyone to become the best version of themselves. üm is a refreshing, functional mushroom enhanced beverage based in Encinitas, CA. Infused with four powerful functional mushrooms – Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Reishi, with an added 250mg of electrolytes. üm offers a completely natural way to enhance mental clarity, boost energy, support a healthy immune system, regulate stress, and ensure optimal hydration. üm contains zero sugar and zero caffeine, giving you that extra boost without the jitters, upset stomach, or crash often associated with excessive caffeine consumption. We’re dedicated to providing a beverage that not only tastes great but also supports a healthy, active lifestyle.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
That’s a really good question. We believe the most impactful qualities we’ve developed are a positive mindset, persistence, and the ability to have fun.
First, having a positive mindset has been crucial. It’s essential not just when things are going well, but especially when challenges arise. In both business and life, we can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control how we perceive and react to those experiences. A positive outlook allows us to learn and grow from every situation rather than feeling defeated.
Secondly, persistence is incredibly important. Starting a business is not easy, nor is it supposed to be. Challenges naturally arise, and things often don’t go according to plan. Staying consistent and refusing to take no for an answer is necessary for success. Every obstacle is a learning experience. We’ve had to be okay with failing, hearing no, and working countless hours for a goal or vision we deeply believe in, even when others don’t see it yet. People’s judgments and limited beliefs shouldn’t hold any space in our journey.
Lastly, we believe in having fun. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Enjoying what you do and having fun not only makes the process more enjoyable but also reflects in the quality of the work or product you put out. Passion and joy are contagious, and they shine through in everything you create.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
We’ve been fortunate to have many incredible mentors who have supported us on this journey, far too many to mention them all. However, the most impactful support has come from our friends and family. Their unwavering support and inspiration have been invaluable, both during the good times and the challenging ones. From the inception of üm as just an idea to the launch of our beverage, they have been with us every step of the way. They’ve taken on roles as taste testers, content creators, sounding boards, and motivators. Their belief in us and our vision has been a driving force behind our success. Without their support, we truly wouldn’t be where we are today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drinkum.co
- Instagram: @drinkum
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