Today we explore the remarkable story of Lisa Curtis, who went from Peace Corps volunteer to trailblazing Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, a leading brand pioneering the sustainable superfood, moringa.
Discover the journey of how a quest for better nutrition in West Africa revealed the hidden gem of moringa, igniting the foundation of a superfood empire. From humble village origins to earning a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30, Lisa's rise is a tribute to resilience and the strength of community.
In her narrative, Lisa shares insights on conquering self-doubt, the critical role of fostering connections, achieving harmony between work and life, and the enduring impact of perseverance.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
- Visit Kuli Kuli Foods website to purchase their products. Use the code BEYONDBARRIERS at checkout for a 20% discount on your purchase.
- Look for Kuli Kuli Foods products on Amazon or in 11,000 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Walmart.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction
[00:30] Powerful Guest Quote
[01:48] Episode Summary
[02:47] Meet Lisa Curtis
[04:18] The Nutritional Benefits of Moringa
[08:51] Overcoming Self-Doubt
[13:39] Testing, Learning, and Pivoting
[16:56] What’s in a Name: Kuli Kuli
[18:50] Community Pitch and Crowdfunding
[26:20] Work-Life Balance and Self-Care
[30:59] Importance of Reset and Daily Habits
[21:25] The Power of Food as Medicine
[33:14] Lightning Round Questions -
Lightening Round Questions
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism that Serves Humanity's Most Pressing Needs by Muhammad YunusQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: Shoot for the moon and if you don't hit the moon, you'll land among the stars.Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: I would use vibrant because I'm a big believer in vibrant communities and vibrant living.Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: The biggest change for me was having a really clear 8 PM cutoff on screen.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Try Again by Shakira and High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco -
Quotes
It doesn't all have to fall into place right away. Generally, everything doesn't happen on the timeline you want.
Lisa Curtis
I'm a big believer that if you don't take care of yourself, you're not going to be able to take care of anything else.
Lisa Curtis
Shoot for the moon, and if you don't hit the moon, you'll land among the stars.
Lisa Curtis
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About
Lisa Curtis is the Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, the leading brand pioneering the sustainable superfood moringa.
Moringa is a protein-rich leafy green, more nutritious than kale, with anti-inflammatory benefits rivaling turmeric. Kuli Kuli’s superfood powders and snacks are sustainably sourced from African women and other small farmers around the world and sold in 11,000 U.S. stores.
Lisa began working on Kuli Kuli while serving in the Peace Corps and has grown it into a multi-million dollar social enterprise.
Prior to Kuli Kuli, Lisa served as the Communications Director at Mosaic where she managed a team of six to grow the company from zero to over $5M invested in clean energy. Previously, Lisa wrote political briefings for President Obama in the White House, served as a United Nations Environment Programme Youth Advisor, and worked at an impact investment firm in India.
Lisa has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and Inc Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders list. She has been featured in numerous outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and on MSNBC's Morning Joe.