Get Well With: Roma Patel

Meet the Founder and CEO

What are your daily wellness non-negotiables? 

Smoothies are a household favorite, hands down. My eight-year-old, Ari grabs his go-to ingredients while Tej, my five-year-old, always finds some way to participate. It’s an undeniably easy way for us to get our nutrition for the day. Plus, it’s so filling. I also love incorporating Tejari into energy bites and even our favorite baked goods. On weekends, we’ve been able to experiment with olive oil cakes and no bake protein cookie balls. So yummy yet satisfying!

How have your experiences with your own health translated to creating Tejari?

The inspiration behind Tejari was honestly a mix of my own childhood and how I wanted to raise my boys. Nutrition and wellness have always been incredibly important to both me and my husband, so we wanted to make it a priority for our family. However, with a hectic lifestyle, traveling often and limited time for self-care, I desperately needed healthy to be easier. So, I looked for convenient options that didn’t include empty calories, tons of added sugar or cheap ingredients. Easy, right? Not so much. Unfortunately, this pursuit failed miserably. So, I decided to partner with the most incredible nutritionists and food scientists I know with the intention of pushing all the boundaries. The result? Organic, vegan protein blends with simple ingredients that are delicious, good for you, and beyond enjoyable to incorporate into your day in a variety of ways.

What was your biggest hurdle in creating your brand? How did you overcome it? 

Launching during the pandemic was really challenging. We really wanted to get out in the community and participate in pop-ups and framers’ market to gain feedback. We had to pivot really quickly to digital zoom cooking sessions and leaning into social media. Building a community on social was critical from the early days!

Creating your own brand can be a 24/7 job. What are some ways that you make time for yourself? Do you have a favorite self-care ritual?

Our house is quiet at 8pm hour, so we take our dog Bella on her last walk for the day. My husband and I like to catch up during this time, and then I like to take a relaxing bath—this has been a life-changing ritual for me since the pandemic began. I’ve also been loving something small for dessert, like these Tejari brownies or frozen acai bites. It’s the little things that make a big difference in my day!

We know you have a lot of amazing recipes using Tejari. What's one of your favorites? 

My go-to recipe for breakfast has been Cardamom Vanilla Chia Pudding with Dates and Pistachios. We enjoy it as a family and it’s so convenient to have ready in the mornings! 

Wellness and The Supplement Industry

The health & wellness industry is constantly evolving. What do you see next for Tejari?

We are always looking at new ingredients and the correlating nutritional benefits to help us with our next blend or mix. More to come! We have some exciting launches coming this year. 

What was most important to you when creating Tejari? Where did the idea for Tejari come from?

My mission is to build healthier habits now and for generations to come—which is why I named Tejari after my two sons and taste testers, Tej and Ari!

As my family began to grow, I searched high and low for nutrient-dense, convenient yet delicious options that didn’t include empty calories, tons of added sugar or cheap ingredients. Needless to say, I failed miserably. So, I decided to listen to people, learn from registered dietitians, take notes from local farmers, and push the boundaries with food scientists. And just like that, Tejari was born: plant-based, superfood protein made with organic, whole ingredients and jam-packed with fruits and spices. The best part? No added sugar, preservatives or flavors.

What’s the biggest misconception about protein powders you’d like to debunk? 

The biggest misconception about protein powders is that all powders have added sugars, low quality ingredients and filled with empty calories. When finding the right protein powder for you, always review the nutritional label and ingredients and do your research.

What’s something that makes Tejari stand out from other protein powder brands? 

Crafted using the highest standards, Tejari blends are sourced from only the purest ingredients available. Organic, vegan, plant-based, peanut-free, and dairy-free protein that’s free of toxins and artificial sweeteners. We make it easy (and delicious) for you to incorporate Tejari into your everyday life—whether overnight oats to start your day, protein-filled energy bites as a mid-morning snack, a nutrient-rich smoothie bowl as an afternoon pick-me-up, or ending the evening with a nice cream.