In the spot light: Dan Watson, BumbleZest Founder
What is your approach to nutrition? How do you keep healthy?
I honestly find it is hard keeping healthy in London particularly whilst launching a start up, which involves dealing with stress and being time-poor. We do an online shop to arrive at the beginning of every week so that the fridge is full of fresh, healthy and nutritious food. I find this makes it easier to make good choices, rather than going to the shop hungry and picking up something naughty. I also make sure I have at least one good walk a day in the fresh air with my dog. Although for me it is important to have balance and not be too strict on yourself – I do enjoy a few beers and a pizza at the weekend from time to time!
What is your most treasured wellness secret?
It’s definitely not a well kept secret… but it has to be sleep. The benefits of a good nights sleep on your body and mind is totally empowering. You can have an emotionally and physically draining day, however if you go to bed and manage to get a good nights sleep it will have more of a positive effect on you than anything else. You can recharge, re-set and be ready to take on the new day! I take my sleep very seriously!
What do you do to relax?
I find long baths very therapeutic for both my mind and body. I do a lot of thinking in the tub, I use it as time to reflect on the day that has just happened and to calmly think about what needs to be achieved the next day. It also helps my body to relax, ready for a vital good nights sleep.
Fave kitchen staple?
Coconut Oil
Can’t live without?
Lemons, Eggs, avocados, Pink Himalayan Salt, Chilli Flakes and Black Pepper
Your healthiest passion?
I still love experimenting with all of the amazing and unusual ingredients I have in my kitchen cupboards to come up with potential new health shot recipes for BumbleZest.
How would you describe your brand philosophy?
We put health at the forefront of everything that we do, whilst also making our drinks taste great for our customers and being as environmentally friendly as possible.
Your current mantra?
“A goal without a plan is just a dream.”
I believe you need to work hard at your dreams.
If you had to use only one product from your range, what would it be?
I drink all of our range regularly however probably the recipe I consume the most has to be our Calm&Comfort – Chamomile, Lavender and Spirulina. I think it is delicious and helps me distress, relax and unwind. It also contains some power house ingredients including a large dose of Chamomile which in my opinion is underestimated and is very good for skin complexion.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
The biggest challenge has been the actual commitment to creating a product in a completely new industry. It is one thing having ideas in your head and completely another taking the risk and actually doing it.
And what has been the biggest highlight?
It has to be when my now wife, Emily joined the team fulltime in September last year. She came onboard at the perfect time when the work load was beginning to become too much for just one person. Before it was just myself and our ‘Chief Supervisor’ @bumblezest_indie who tried to help out as much as she could!
What would your advice be to other people thinking of starting a company?
There is never a good time to start your own company, so I would say stop talking about it and get on with it. It is hard work and all consuming but also so much more rewarding.
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