Yay! Our Fall YBC Mantra Box has shipped out and I couldn't be more proud of how it turned out. The feedback on instagram has been incredible, and I just want to take a moment to thank you for your support. This little subscription box dream of mine has grown into this blossoming project that supports small businesses in the health and wellness industries. I truly believe that spending our hard earned money wisely is a great way to support what you believe in.
For those who don't know, the YBC Mantra Box is our healthy living subscription box service that is sent out quarterly. Each box has a theme (the theme of this box was Gratitude) and there is a mantra included to help inspire your yoga practice and your life off the mat as well. We focus on highlighting small businesses whose products we love. For this box and for our Summer box we pre-sold 100 but for the winter boxes we have made 150 available and also offering the option to purchase just one Winter YBC Mantra Box plus the entire 2016 year of boxes.
Fall YBC Mantra Box
When ordering the Mantra Box, you have the option to choose vegan/vegetarian, Paleo/GAPS, Gluten-Free, and 'I eat all the foods' as well as specify whether you're male (and would prefer to opt out of the beauty products/jewelry and get more manly things instead. :) So each box gets around 10 - 12 items.
Allow me to now introduce the faces behind the small businesses featured in the Fall YBC Mantra Box.
Small Businesses in the Fall YBC Mantra Box
The Herbal Face Food founder J. Michael Zenn
The Herbal Face Food founder J. Michael Zenn
Personal Mantra: We Love People
Why the company was started: Originally we created Herbal Face Food™ to address and heal skin discoloration but found many were giving testimonials for helping severe acne and scarring, reducing pore size, and diminishing fine lines but the most notable was a radiant and healthy glow to the complexion and being able to stop using foundation.
What does the company do to give back: We are Eco-Friendly, Sustainable and use Wild-Harvested and Organic Ingredients. We are 100% Plants, NOT plant based! :)
Product included in box: The Herbal Face Food
Retail value: $100
Coupon code: yoga15 for 15% off $50 or more.
Coconut Organics founder George Metrik
Coconut Organics founder George Metrik
Personal Mantra: "Fake it till you make it" -- even though we are a small, self-funded brand, our non-compromise commitment and organic standards will show from day one through all of our healthy and innovative creations.
Why the company was started: Coconut Organics was founded due to a personal lifestyle and passion for health as well as the realization that people have lost their connection to their first foods. Over the years, a lot of misinformation has also been shared to steer people away from these complete, "healthy fat" foods. We are here to change that and are innovating with the amazing coconut.
What does the company do to give back: We are in the process of establishing a cause that will share a part of our sales with farmers in the tropical regions to make sure they are paid in a fair-trade manner and the coconut plantations are protected in an organic fashion.
Product included in box: Toasted Unsweetened Organic Coconut Chips
Retail value: $1.50
Mike Fata, CEO & Co-Founder of Manitoba Harvest
Manitoba Harvest CEO and Co-Founder Mike Fata
Personal Mantra: We love living a healthy lifestyle, being #fuelledbyhemp and encouraging others to be the best version of themselves everyday!
Why the company was started: Mike Fata started Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods with his friends Martin and Alex because hemp foods helped change his life, and he wanted to share them with the world.
What does the company do to give back: We are a BCorp certified company, we give many donations to local food banks, we send millions of samples to events all across North America. We've donated to the United Way, the Canadian Red Cross Foundation and other natural disaster events.
Product included in box: Hemp Heart Bites, Hemp Hearts
Retail value: $6.99 for Hemp Heart Bites, $8.99 for Hemp Hearts
Author Janice Kaplan
Author Janice Kaplan
Product included: The Gratitude Diaries, How a year looking on the bright side can transform your life. Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, Powell’s
Retail value: $26.95
Tell us about the inspiration behind The Gratitude Diaries. I oversaw a national survey on gratitude for the John Templeton Foundation and I realized that gratitude could give me a new view of my own life. Most of us know our lives are pretty good, but instead of being grateful, we wait around for something even more wonderful to happen. That’s a mistake because it’s not events that make us happy so much as how we respond to them. I needed to become more grateful right now—because I never wanted to look back someday and wonder why I didn’t appreciate what I had when I had it.
How frequently does gratitude need to be expressed in order to incite meaningful change? If you write down just one thing every night that made you grateful, your perspective on the entire day will change. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, you start to focus on what went right. If you have children, make it a bedtime ritual to describe a person or activity that made them grateful that day. You never want gratitude to feel like a burden—so make it a game. Take a photo each day of something that you appreciate or write it on a blackboard in the kitchen. When kids see you being grateful, they’ll naturally follow.
Does technology negatively impact the power of gratitude expression? Is a gratitude text or an email just as effective as a visit, or handwritten letter? One psychiatrist told me that writing a gratitude letter was the single most effective positive intervention he had found for severely depressed patients. That’s pretty incredible. But on a daily basis for most of us, I love using whatever is most convenient. Send your spouse or partner an email every day describing something he did that you appreciate. One man I recently met starts every morning by sending a text with three reasons he’s grateful. I asked to be part of his list, and I look forward to those texts every morning. We can all take inspiration from others—in any form.
What do you hope readers will take away from The Gratitude Diaries? Life is random and we can’t control the events that occur. But we can control our own attitudes, moods, and perspective—and that makes a bigger difference than almost anything else. Gratitude gives you the ability to find good even in situations where it’s not obvious. Being grateful gave me the very best year of my life. I want others to discover they can have their best year ever, too.
Free Soul Malas founder Leah Brathwaite
Founder of Free Soul Malas Leah Brathwaite
Personal Mantra: SO hard to pick just one... but if I had to - it would be what Steve Jobs said in his commencement speech to Stanford graduates: "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become."
Why the company was started: What first started as a way to make a more personalized mala that spoke not only to the intention I wanted to manifest, but also to my personality, has grown into a way of life. Free Soul Malas is about turning dreams into reality. Being bold, taking risks and living freely. Finding the deepest, truest part of yourself - your soul - and setting it free to make a difference in the world.
What does the company do to give back: Free Soul Malas has partnered with 1% For The Planet, a global movement of companies donating at least 1% of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. Giving back is hugely important to us, and we are looking to partner with more organizations and charities as we grow. That means every purchase you make helps make a difference in the world!
Product included in box: Mala bracelet
Retail value: $39-42
Coupon code: YBC15 - 15% off purchase
Coco Luxe founder Heather Sellers
Founder of Coco Luxe Organics Heather Sellers
Personal Mantra: Today. The rest will come.
Why the company was started: Coco Luxe started for one reason-we wanted coconut oil that traveled! We needed less bulky packaging, we needed a way to take it in the shower & fit it into the medicine cabinet (or a glove box :), we needed a better way to have quality coconut oil on hand...Then we thought other people out there may want to do the same thing, turns out, we weren't the only ones!
What does the company do to give back: Coco Luxe donates its coconut oil to various charities & fundraisers throughout the country year round. From women's & children's groups to motivational & empowerment seminars.
Product included in box: Coconut oil in a tube
Retail value: 11.99
Coupon code: YBCoco
Ellie Teng, Founder of Clever Yoga
Ellie Teng, Founder of Clever Yoga
Personal Mantra: Everything will be fine.
Why the company was started: As a very active yogi, I know yoga practice can benefit everyone who is open minded and willing to improve their lives. It can be a challenge to pick up the right yoga props and accessories with quality and affordability. We combine meticulous market research with strict quality control and testing to create high quality products at affordable prices. I want to provide all level yogis the best products and services. The products should be environmental friendly on the way too.
What does the company do to give back: Very actively involved with Annie Okerlin's Exalted Warrior Foundation by donating our new product launch proceeds to the foundation monthly. The Exalted Warrior Foundation facilitates an adaptive yoga instruction program that is designed for wounded warriors in the active military, veteran hospital facilities, and veterans within communities around the country. We recently also involved with Garrison Elementary School Fundraiser project and are happy to help. We will continuously help our community in our capability.
Product included in box: yoga strap
Retail value: 11.99
Coupon code: YBC15OFF for 15% off
Founder of Toe Talk Jan Bereford
Founder of Toe Talk, Jan Bereford
Personal Mantra: Seek balance! Having been "pre-wired" as a Type A individual, it has been a journey to come to appreciate a life in balance.
Why the company was started: We all need a reminder now and then. Toe Talk was born of my own experience. I was having difficulty completing a Pilates routine, struggling through an exercise that involved looking at my feet for proper form. That's then it hit me. If my socks could speak to me, what would they say?
What does the company do to give back: Social responsibility is a core value of Toe Talk. For each pair of socks purchased, we will donate a $1 to the consumer's choice of charity from a list of seven charities and non-profits.
Product included in box: socks
Retail value: $11.95
Coupon code: YBCFreeShip (good thru 9/30)
Dr. Barhar Sederati and Stefanie Hults
Founders of Tosi Health Dr. Barhar Sederati and Stefanie Hults
Personal Mantra: Simple. True. Health.
Why the company was started: Tosi was created to help people. We all believe that we definitely need to take supplements. There are thousands of different supplements in the marketplace today. Tosi was created to simplify and take the guesswork and mystery out of a simple combination of supplements and the result of the Tosi products is improved health and proper weight management.
Product included in box: Tosi superbites
Retail value: $34
Coupon code: YBCTOSI15 for 15% off
Founders of Javazen
Founders of Javazen Eric Golman, Aaron Wallach, and Ryan Schueler
Personal Mantra: #FindYourZen
Why the company was started: We were tired. We wanted more out of our daily cup than just a boost of caffeine. Coffee came to the rescue, but tea was more interesting, flavorful and healthy. Javazen combines the best of both worlds. We hope you enjoy Javazen, finely crafted by 3 guys who care about our farmers, your health, and having a good time.
What does the company do to give back: 100% Wind Powered Manufactured
Product included in box: javazen
Retail value: $3.99
Coupon code: iwantzen for 15% off
Caveman Bakery founder Stephanie Lester
Founder of Caveman Bakery Stephanie Lester
Why the company was started: The Caveman Bakery is a small, woman-owned business dedicated to making wholesome foods using ingredients that early humans had access to such as nuts, honey and berries. The owner/founder was formerly an attorney at a New York law firm, frustrated by spending long hours in an artificial office environment. She wanted to start a business dedicated to promoting a healthy, natural lifestyle, and realized that dream by founding the Caveman Bakery.
What does the company do to give back: As a business that uses honey in our products, we are particularly concerned about the amount of illegal "funny honey" from China making its way into US markets and products. This illegal "funny honey" not only harms local beekeepers due to tariff evasion, but is often found to be devoid of pollen, tainted with antibiotics and/or diluted with corn syrup. To help support "real" honey and real beekeepers, Caveman Cookies are made only with certified organic, True Source Honey, which ensures the honey comes from verified transparent, ethical and reliable sources. No "funny" honey from China in these all natural, paleo treats!
Product included in box: Caveman Cookies
Retail value: $5.95
Coupon code: MantraBox (15% off)
I Heart Keenwah founders Sarah and Ravi
Founders of I Heart Keenwah Sarah and Ravi
Personal Mantra: Take less, give more.
Why the company was started: After touring Bolivia and learning about the versatility of an awesome little seed called quinoa, Ravi fell in love with the idea of making quinoa into a ready-to-eat snack. He sold a few grad school friends on the idea, and I Heart Keenwah was born. Sarah and Ravi toiled for hours in the kitchen, mixing quinoa with other all-natural ingredients and finally crafting a crunchy, sweet treat: the quinoa cluster.
What does the company do to give back: We support local non-profits with product donations and use Fair Trade ingredients.
Product included in box: I Heart Keenwah
Retail value: $4.99
Jordan S. Rubin, founder of Garden of Health
Garden of Health founder Jordan S. Rubin
Personal Mantra: Your health is a gift, and extraordinary health is a goal worth pursuing—both for you and for your family.
Why the company was started: Founded in 2000, Garden of Life’s commitment to health goes beyond offering some of the most effective nutritional products in the world. We are interested in building relationships with people to help them transform their lives to attain extraordinary health.
What does the company do to give back: Garden of Life works with a variety of organizations around the country throughout the year. We are proud supporters of SOS Children's Villages and proceeds from some of our supplement sales go to support the work of Vitamin Angels, WomenHeart and National Parkinson's Foundation.
Product included in box: Probiotics and Prebiotic fiber (vegan friendly)
Retail value: $39.95 (probiotics) and 19.95 (fiber)
Founder of Soulful Essence
Founder of Soulful Essence Jessica Brantley
Personal Mantra: Life’s too short to worry about what other people think.
Why the company was started: Nourishing mind, body & spirit thru love, aromatherapy & nature. Celebrating interconnectedness, and always giving back.
What does the company do to give back: We donate money to save the Everglades and our drinking water.
Product included in box: Shave oil
Retail value: $22
Coupon Code: CANDACE for 25% off
Founders of Go Raw Robert and Uri Freeland
Why the company was started: As a father, Robert wanted wholesome snacks for his children that were both healthy and delicious. Recognizing so many “healthy” snacks on the market are really junk food posing as a beneficial choice, Freeland set out on a mission to revolutionize the snack food industry. Utilizing his background in healthy living from his work at the San Diego’s Optimum Health Institute, Freeland became a food entrepreneur, starting his own organic food manufacturing business. Freeland engineered state of the art industrial dehydration systems to directly address the growing demand for healthier snack options, and Go Raw was born.
What does the company do to give back: The environment is one of the company's top priorities. The facility is a zero waste facility and runs on solar energy.
Product included in box: Go Raw carrot cake sprouted cookies
Retail value: $5.49
Robert and Uri Freeland, Founders of Go Raw
Pin now and discover your new favorite, small, independent companies. #shopsmall
Wearing: Blue Life romper, Steve Madden shoes (old)
And now, for a full vlog sharing the items from the box. :)
Pre-Order your Winter YBC Mantra Box or Surprise Grab Bag
Our YBC Mantra Boxes are priced at $49.99 and have already started selling. They are expected to sell-out, so snag yours today while we still have inventory!
And for my peeps on a budget, we're offering a select number of YBC Grab Bag Surprises that will ship immediately. These will be items from the health and wellness industries similar to what you'd see in a YBC Mantra Box. You will receive 4 - 5 small items. They are priced at $14.99 and due to shipping costs, are currently available for those in the USA.
Inquiries for Small Business Owners
If you are a small business owner with a product that might work for the YBC Mantra Box and you'd like to be involved, just fill out the form below.
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