How a ‘Miracle Tree’ Launched a Multi-Million Dollar Superfood Brand

Imagine discovering a single plant so powerful it could transform health, fight climate change, and empower communities worldwide. That’s exactly what happened when Lisa Curtis tried moringa while serving in the Peace Corps. A decade later, she turned that discovery into Kuli Kuli Foods, bringing this ‘miracle tree’ to 11,000 stores across the U.S. 

In this episode of the Conscious Design Podcast, host Ian Peterman dives into Lisa’s journey—from launching her first moringa product to scaling her brand nationwide. Lisa shares how she overcame retail challenges, built an ethical supply chain, and why sustainable superfoods like moringa are the future of nutrition. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a sustainability advocate, or just curious about how food brands grow, this episode is packed with valuable insights. 

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

00:00 - Introduction to Conscious Design Podcast

00:34 - The Origin Story of Kuli Kuli

02:33 - Building a Market for Moringa & Overcoming Retail Challenges

08:59 - Scaling a Superfood Brand: Product Development & Market Expansion

17:11 - Consumer Trends & E-Commerce Growth During COVID-19

23:40 - Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability: Building a Climate-Smart Food Brand

34:41 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗶 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀

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 that is more nutritious than kale and offers anti-inflammatory benefits comparable to turmeric. Kuli Kuli’s superfood powders and snacks are sustainably sourced from African women and other small farmers worldwide and are sold in 11,000 U.S. stores.

Lisa began working on Kuli Kuli while serving in the Peace Corps and has since grown it into a multi-million-dollar social enterprise. Before founding Kuli Kuli, she served as the Communications Director at Mosaic, where she led a team of six to grow the company from the ground up to over $5 million 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 also been featured in numerous outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Kuli Kuli is the leading brand pioneering climate-smart superfoods like moringa in the U.S. Moringa is a naturally energizing green superfood packed with protein, antioxidants, and vitamins. Kuli Kuli offers the highest-quality, most sustainable superfoods by partnering with local entrepreneurs and sourcing directly from small farmers, with a focus on African and women-led social enterprises. Kuli Kuli’s superfood powders and snacks are available in 11,000 stores nationwide.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗶 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariecurtis/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulikulifoods

Website: https://www.kulikulifoods.com/ 

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 

YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/3sG7VEi

Blog: https://bit.ly/3kltV6s

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