What is the message you would like to share with the world?

Don’t work hard so that you can buy shiny things to impress people who don’t even matter. Work hard so that you give back and make a positive impact on people’s lives. Trust me, you will feel more fulfilled.

Maya French

Co-Founder of Koia

(Forbes 30 Under 30)

20 March 2019 6 Min Read

Maya French: The Power of a Plant-Based Vision for Health

Let me introduce you to Maya French, female entrepreneur and co-founder of Koia, a plant-based protein beverage company that aims to deliver healthy and delicious plant-based nutrition. Because of her company’s success, Maya was awarded a place on Forbes’ 30 under 30 US & Canada 2019: Food and Drink list.

After finishing a degree in Broadcast Journalism at Southern Illinois University, Maya began working in the fashion retail industry. In 2013, after developing lactose intolerance, Maya realized she couldn’t find a suitable post-workout drink. So, alongside her co-founder, Dustin Baker, Maya created her company, Koia.

Where there is demand, there should always be supply. And Maya can teach you more about the basic rule of economics with her experience than anyone else. After all, it’s easier said than done. So, let’s hear more about the obstacles that Maya overcame to run her successful business today and her advice for others in the same position!

The Logician

Can you tell us more about yourself? Who is Maya French? What is the reason behind choosing the career you currently have?

Maya French

In 2013, I realized that I developed lactose intolerance and as a very active person, I couldn’t find a good post-workout shake.

My co-founder, Dustin Baker and I had previously tried to create a cold-pressed juice, but we found it wasn’t sticking with consumers and was very expensive to make.

We switched our ideas to a nut-based protein drink that we eventually named Koia (after Nicoya, the town in Costa Rica famous for long-lived residents).

I wanted to make sure that everyone had a tasty, plant-based and high protein option out there, especially those who had similar health issues!

The Logician

I want to congratulate you for being on Forbes’ list of 30 under 30! The honor must be excellent. Have you ever dreamed of being where you are today? What contributed to your success the most?

Maya French

Thank you so much! It truly was such an honor to have been chosen. My background was never in food – I had actually studied journalism and had gone into fashion retail.

I never necessarily thought I would be named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List – especially for being a co-founder of a beverage brand. I think what most contributed to my success is both my drive and my personal passion for the product.

As someone who is lactose-intolerant, there weren’t any post-workout vegan protein drinks that tasted good, so we were inspired to create one ourselves.

The Logician

Can you tell us more about your company? How difficult is it to run a business? How do you manage your time? What are the best time-management strategies you know of?

Maya French

Koia is a beverage company that provides protein-packed, 100 percent plant-based beverages that use natural ingredients to deliver deliciously nutritious flavors.

My main role as a co-founder is brand awareness and making sure our product gets out there as much as possible!

There are always ups and downs to running a business but having such a passion for the industry outweighs any challenge or difficulties that come with the job.

Managing my time can get difficult, but I like to create a plan of action for each day so that I can be aware of what is on my plate and work smarter, not harder — while also making sure I have time to get outside or enjoy a workout because that is crucial to my productivity in the office!

The Logician

This being said, what is your simplest definition of success? Why? Have you always described success as you do today? If not, what changed?

Maya French

I think the simplest way to define success is accomplishing what you set out to do and in our case, we set out to provide a delicious plant-based protein beverage for consumers.

In my opinion, we have reached success as we are now in more than 5,000 stores across the U.S.

I think the definition of success has always remained the same in my life, it is the goals that have changed.

The Logician

According to you, what are the three most important things in a company and why?

Maya French

The three most important things in a company are the team, the passion behind the product/service, the quality of the product/service.

If the product/service is not good and doesn’t solve a problem, then it won’t sell.
The people behind the product/service must be passionate and bring energy to the brand.

If you are not excited about your business, how can you convince others to be?

The team is most important, without the correct talent in place there is no way you can successfully grow your business.

The Logician

What is your opinion on fixed vs. flexible working schedules? What is your opinion on hard vs. smart work? Please explain.

Maya French

If you have a smaller team, flexible schedules are best. In a startup, there are tons of things that occur unexpectedly that you often have to tend to right away.

Everyone also has an “entrepreneurial” mindset that allows them to handle multiple responsibilities vs. what’s within their scope of work. It’s proven that people who work flexible work schedules tend to work longer hours than those with fixed.

I always work with the mindset of working smarter not harder.

I don’t believe that a person should do everything themselves, identify your strengths and delegate your weaknesses to those who can complete the task better.

We all wish we had more hours in a day to complete tasks, that’s why it’s essential to work smarter and avoid burnout. Once burnout hits, nothing gets completed.

The Logician

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? What do you think matters in life? What can you not survive without?

Maya French

As a self-proclaimed foodie, you can always find me trying out new and exotic foods and restaurants or exploring new adventures and activities in California.

I absolutely cannot live without my daily workouts which keep me energized and motivated, as well as obviously, my daily Koia!

What matters the most in life is family, supportive friends, and good health.

All of this combined helps me be the best person and motivates me to continue forth achieving my biggest goals in life.

The Logician

Where do you see yourself 5–10 years from now? What about your business?

Maya French

I see myself leading an organization and somehow making a strong impact in my community. My ultimate goal is to become successful so that I can teach generations after me.

In 5–10 years Koia will be a brand that has paved the way for other healthy products to be available in areas where people don’t usually have access to healthy food.

The Logician

Finally, what is the best advice you were ever given? What would you advise all the young people struggling in business?

Maya French

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

As a young person, we are always trying to prove ourselves and not look like we don’t know what we’re doing. Being young is the best excuse to be vulnerable and reach out to our peers/ mentors for advice.

No one knows everything and the best way to learn more is to get advice from the experts.

The Logician

Maya’s story of using a barrier to create a successful business is truly inspiring. It teaches us that you can turn your disadvantages into positive outcomes in life. Well, that’s until you try hard enough. So, thank you, Maya, for sharing your advice on hard work and reminding us about what matters most - family, friends, and health. Your advice of reaching out to mentors and asking questions is something I also will put to use in my life, and I recommend the readers to do the same. At last, your goals for your company are inspiring, and I look forward to seeing how everything works for you. Good luck to you!

The Logician

Trademark of a Living Legend

Latest Interviews

#000061

Guido Zichittella's Green Vision: Revolutionizing Energy Production

The Logician Image, which is an animated image of a person working on the laptop with a globe behind him, on a transparent background

Find Your Fellow Associates

Support means everything, especially in the digital world. Expand your network and extend your knowledge - make sure to join the association!

Discover My Association

Maya French

Maya French: The Power of a Plant-Based Vision for Health

The Logician

Latest Interviews

Aviran Zazon: Crafting a Legacy in Tech and Beyond

Thomas Torre: Revolutionizing Health Savings with Investment

Sanjay Brahmawar's Vision for the Future of Digital Transformation

Theo Saville: Revolutionizing CNC Manufacturing with AI

Akshay Singhal: Pioneering Clean Energy Solutions for Tomorrow

Matthew Clare on Revolutionizing Clean Energy Investment

Laila Kasuri: Driving Innovation in Healthcare and Science

Jiajun Cen on the Cutting Edge of Manufacturing Innovation

Chirag Gupta: Elevating Indian E-commerce with Customer Focus

Carlos Pierre: Disrupting Real Estate with Tech-Driven Innovation

Erik Cheong on Transforming the Consumer Tech Industry

Siddha Ganju: Revolutionizing Manufacturing with AI and Robotics

Simon St. James LeComte on the Intersection of Art and Fashion

John Cassidy: Advancing Healthcare Through AI Innovation

Aleksandra Dragozet on Charting a Course for Sustainable Tourism

Jay Richards: Empathy, Compassion, and Building a Better Society

Cristina Aleixendri Muñoz: Advancing Manufacturing Via Innovation

Demelza Hays' Vision for a Decentralized Financial Future

Bernhard Winter: Revolutionizing Medical Devices with Innovation

Guido Zichittella's Green Vision: Revolutionizing Energy Production

Find Your Fellow Associates