We were lucky to catch up with Zeinab Kristen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Zeinab, 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?
I found my purpose in the chaos of caregiving—watching my mom struggle through perimenopause and menopause, dismissed by doctors who labeled her symptoms as “just aging.” Seeing her lose her spark, believing she was broken, was devastating. It also ignited something in me. Then, when I faced my own health crisis with benign breast tumors and mastalgia, I knew I had to make a change. Moving to Colorado was my turning point—a decision to prioritize my health and reclaim my life.
It was during my healing journey that my purpose became clear: women deserve better. They deserve targeted support, real solutions, and the chance to thrive at every stage of life. That’s why I created Cync Nutrition—a company dedicated to helping women overcome hormone imbalances and take back control of their health. My purpose is rooted in my story and my belief that no woman should feel invisible or powerless. With Cync, I’m on a mission to change the narrative and prove that women can live healthier, stronger, and more vibrant lives—no compromises.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the founder of Cync Nutrition, a women’s health CPG company that’s redefining how we support women through hormonal changes. At Cync we believe food is medicine- bringing innovative, integrative, targeted solutions to an underserved market of women navigating hormonal imbalances like PCOS, endometriosis, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. Our pilot line of products give women an alternative to their coffee ritual in a way that replaces it with science-backed, hormone-supporting herbal blends they look forward to just as much, if not more, than their coffee.
What excites me most is that we’re not just addressing symptoms; we’re creating joyful rituals that allow women to care for themselves in ways that feel good and are sustainable- without making them feel like they have to squeeze in “yet another thing” into their already chaotic lives.
We’re really grateful for the local success we’ve achieved in just under a year of operating and are planning to expand quickly to meet the needs of our community. In 2025 we plan on launching some seasonal blends and limited edition products to bring even more variety to our current product selection. Beyond products, we’re leaning really hard into our community building efforts with events, workshops and retreats for women to connect with themselves and other like minded individuals. You will also find us on various shelves in the new year!!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three things I think have shaped my journey I think are:
Resilience: I learned to navigate a lot of uncertainty and rejection in my 20s, and If I’m being totally honest getting to this point was utter hell. I don’t think a lot of people talk about the years that can precede any form of success. There were so many moments where it felt like the odds were stacked against me. From personal health struggles, the struggles I took on as a caretaker, not to mention the to financial challenges that came with not being able to hold down a job when life was filled with ER visits and doctor’s appointments. I had to learn to keep the hope alive in me that this was all meant to serve a purpose… even when that reality seemed impossible.
Adaptability: Nothing about this journey went the way I thought it would, not the years that preceded it and certainly not the first year of launching Cync. There were moments I scrapped ideas, had to put them on hold to deal with life (the summer I was supposed to launch I lost my mom), I had to detach myself from outcomes and let life guide me in a direction that was meant for me. As a recovering type A personality being adaptable is uncomfortable- especially when you associate control with peace, but staying open to change is what helped me and our community grow. My advice? Don’t cling so tightly to your plan that you can’t see the opportunities right in front of you. Being adaptable isn’t about abandoning your vision—it’s about finding new ways to bring it to life. And sometimes, those pivots lead to something even better than you imagined.
Having compassion: Not just for others, but for myself—which was the hardest thing. When it felt like I was lagging behind my peers or struggling to keep up with everyone else’s timeline, that inner voice of judgment was loud. But I had to learn that extending myself grace was just as important as extending it to others. My advice? Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. Progress looks different for everyone, and just because your timeline doesn’t match someone else’s doesn’t mean you’re not on the right path.
If I had any advice for anyone starting out its: Be patient with yourself. The path won’t be linear, but that’s where most of the magic happens- this will ultimately form your “why”- and stay connected to that. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help- non of us are superhuman.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
There are several that are top of mind right now:
The first being is taking care of myself while wearing all the hats that come with running a startup. It’s not something I’m proud of, but my health has definitely taken a backseat. I recently did some lab work, and let’s just say the results were not ideal and indicative of an impending burnout phase- even though what keeps me up at night is solving problems for something I absolutely love. The irony isn’t lost on me: I’m building a company that empowers women to take control of their health, and here I am letting mine slide. It’s a work in progress, but I’m learning to give myself the same compassion and care that I encourage for others.
The other big challenge is the obvious most CPG companies have when growing: finances. Bootstrapping a growing startup is no joke. Capital is essential to keep up with growth and meet demand, but I didn’t come from a financially literate or well-off background, so navigating this part of the business has been a steep learning curve. I’ve had to dive into podcasts, blogs, books, and endless conversations with professionals to figure out strategies for growing on a shoestring budget while avoiding costly mistakes. It’s overwhelming at times, but it’s also been a crash course in resilience and resourcefulness.
Some things I think have really helped me learn a lot and I continue to use to get through these challenges have been 1) talking to other founders- they’re much more open to talk than you think and have helped me navigate balancing personal health and business while offering tactical advise on funding avenues. Joining a business accelerator program was also super helpful- made quite a few networking connections in the program that have been instrumental in helping find resources I need. I geek out on finance & founder podcasts and currently my favorite podcast for real world tactical advise (not BS founder fluff) is Female Founder World- especially great for all my fellow women in business!
That said, I love what I do. Even on the hard days, I know this work is important—not just for the women we serve but also for me. It’s taught me that challenges aren’t roadblocks; they’re just lessons in disguise. And I’m determined to keep learning, growing, and building something amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cyncnutrition.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cyncnutrition
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeinab-kristen-22860b7b/
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