Zak Normandin
Zak Normandin | |
---|---|
Born |
Leominster, MA | January 29, 1984
Residence | Brooklyn, NY |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Franklin Pierce University (BS) |
Occupation | CEO at Dirty Lemon Beverages |
Children | 3 |
Website | www.redwoodnewyork.com |
Zak Normandin (Jan 29th, 1984) is an American entrepreneur and the current CEO and co-founder of the NYC-based functional beverage brand, Dirty Lemon Beverages [1][2] He had previously founded Little Duck Organics,[3] a privately held New York City based company focused on organic children's snacks.[4] Normandin is best known for innovative consumer product package designs, advocacy of organic food products and development of the text-message based payment and customer service platform for Dirty Lemon Beverages.[5][6]
Early Life & Career
Normandin was born in Leominster, MA. He began his career as a Marine Engineer in the United States Coast Guard. The inspiration to create a food company came after becoming a father, when he was unable to find healthy, sugar-free foods for his children.[3][7] He started Little Duck Organics in his basement in 2009.[8][9] The brand quickly gained popularity and helped him in raising funding rounds from notable angel investors and venture capitalists including Chris Burch and Tom First.[10]
In 2011, at Natural Products Expo East, he was awarded Best Packaging for a design Normandin created for the Tiny Fruits product line.[11] In 2012, Little Duck Organics was recognized in a round-up of the "World's Most Dazzling Trade-Show Exhibits" with Nintendo, Nike, and Red Bull.[12] In 2013, Little Duck Organics won the Most Innovative Award at Expo West 2013. Later in 2013, his company was awarded with the New Arrival Award - Best New Products of 2013, for its new product Mighty Oats.[6][13]
Normandin worked on Plantable packaging for his product Mighty Oats that can yield vegetables if planted. As of 2014, Under his leadership, Little Duck Organics achieved a retail presence in more than 30 countries.[14] In 2014, Normandin sold majority control of Little Duck Organics, and left the company to start a creative agency and product development house.[15] In 2015, along with Sommer Carroll, Normandin co-founded Dirty Lemon Beverages, a functional beverage brand.[16] Dirty Lemon is a direct-to-consumer beverage company with products which are only available via text message, using a technology ideated by Normandin.[17] As of March 2016, the brand's products were sold in 10 countries.[18]
References
- ↑ http://www.bevnet.com/news/2015/charcoal-on-call-dirty-lemon-water-launches-on-instagram
- ↑ Erin Magner (7 March 2016). "Detox drink sensation Dirty Lemon is cleaning up your hair and skin next".
- 1 2 Kolodny, Lora (5 December 2013). "Fatherhood Inspires Little Duck's Healthy Snacks for Kids". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Little Duck Organics Founder On Being A Dad And An Entrepreneur – with Zak Normandin". Mixergy. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Hendrickson, Dyke (March 22, 2012). "'Little Duck' a strong swimmer". Daily News of Newburyport. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- 1 2 Spinner, Jenni (October 20, 2011). "Little Duck Organics wins best packaging honors at Expo East". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Blum, Brian (April 28, 2013). "Abe's Market: natural, organic, and founded in Israel". Israel21c. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Little Ducks Organics Baby Food". Babble. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Goldberg, Max (April 26, 2012). "Little Duck Organics is a Real Winner for Kids…. and Parents". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Jane Wakefield, Kylie (4 June 2014). "Little Duck Organics' Natural Road to Success". Greenpoint Gazette. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Kuchler, Hannah (14 May 2014). "Tech start-ups to look out for". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "If you want big rewards, you have to take risks.". Think Entrepreneurship. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Wimberly, Rachel (September 27, 2011). "Natural Products Expo East Grows After Return to Baltimore". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Little Duck Organics is Moving Forward with Organic Baby Foods". Under30ceo.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "The National Parenting Publications Awards". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Abby Reisner (3 February 2016). "The dirty lemon water cleanse".
- ↑ Marina Kennedy (10 November 2015). "Zak Normandin Founder of DIRTY LEMON DETOX".
- ↑ Meredith Deliso (8 March 2016). "Juice cleanse company Dirty Lemon continues to grow".