Coconut Whisk Introduces Vegan and Gluten Free Baking Mixes

Entering the Big Ideas Challenge Competition at Minnesota State University, Coconut Whisk founders Bella Lam and Myles Olson had no idea that their leisure hobby would soon turn into a flourishing business. “Growing up I loved those easy-to-make baking mixes like Betty Crocker, and I realized that there weren’t any vegan or gluten free baking mixes that were in the supermarket or at the stores,” Lam said. It was that youthful passion for baking that inspired her to try making a blend of baking mixes that aligned with her new vegan lifestyle.

“At first I was just selling them at the Farmer’s Market and having it as a little side hobby with Myles,” Lam said. But when news broke of their campus’ business competition, they quickly designed a business plan, tidied up their paperwork, and entered the competition.

Winning the food division of the Big Ideas Challenge Competition made them realize they could turn this hobby into a real business. Thus came Coconut Whisk—a mission drive vegan and gluten free baking mix company that helps busy families bake healthy indulgences. 

Coconut Whisk is currently in about 25 stores across the country and has an online platform where people can purchase products. There is a Coconut Whisk mix to please every sweet tooth. “We offer products from pancakes to mug cakes to muffins to cookies”, said Lam. Her personal favorite is the pancake mix.

Lam feels that her mixes align with more than just the Vegan lifestyle, so she aims to reach a larger audience. “Vegan is the lifestyle we want to promote. But we realize there are a lot of non-vegan people who are just conscious about what they put into their bodies, folks who are gluten free, mothers … we realized that's a big target market for us, too,” Lam explained.

While it started with just the Farmer’s Market, they have grown a lot over the past two and a half years. They sold their products at the Twin Cities Veg Fest, the Rochester Food Fest, and other tradeshows and vegan festivals. Between that and a large social media presence acting as a resource hub and a community, Coconut Whisk began attracting more customers.

These events were a big part of their revenue and connecting with other people, so when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., Coconut Whisk had to find new ways to grow.

“We realized that there is a lot of strength in e-commerce and the digital space, so we have been really focusing on how to invest in that and make up for lost profit by doing that,” Lam said. “I think it has been a good experience to be able to slow down and be able to think and reflect and make calculated moves rather than just being so busy all of the time with no idea where we are going.”

The team has a lot of future plans in the works as their social mission evolves and expands. Right now, with every online purchase, a plant-based meal is donated to those in need through working with Food For Life Global, the world’s largest vegan hunger relief. Coconut Whisk wants to take it a step further by focusing on food insecurities and making food more equitable.

Growing up in a low-income family and relying on free and reduced lunches, Lam understands the struggles for affordable, and healthy meals. “We are a high quality, premium product and something that you could find in a Whole Foods type place,” she said. “But we recognize that isn’t something that everyone can afford or have access to.”

They are also creating a vegan pancake cart. “This cart is going to be at meal centers, free workshops, festivals, and more. This will be a really good way for us to raise awareness of plant-based living and maybe educate on plant-based living and give back to the community,” Lam said. 

Not only that, but there is also a one-for-one model in the works for a 2021 launch that would give you an additional baking mix for every baking mix purchased. 

In addition to these initiatives, Coconut Whisk has introduced their brand new ambassador program. “Applicants are able to make commission on all of the sales they make, and they get free products and other fun stuff from us,” Lam explained. Every sale they make results in two plant-based meal donations. While it is mostly just social media right now, Lam hopes that they will soon be able to host events curated for the ambassadors.

Especially during this time of COVID-19, Lam advises other small business entrepreneurs to remember self care. “Entrepreneurs always do everything for everyone before themselves,” she said. “Self care, self love, and taking time for yourself, even if it is just an hour a week, is so important”.

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