Why Being a Forever Student Gives You a Competitive Edge in Entrepreneurship, According to Sakara Co-Founder Danielle Duboise

Education has always been a cornerstone for Sakara Life co-founder Danielle Duboise. After attending the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN), DuBoise teamed up with Whitney Tingle (her co-founder) to study time-tested approaches to nutrition. Together, the two set their hearts (and stomachs) on the goal of nourishing their own minds and bodies, but where they landed was beyond what either of them had in mind. In 2012, the duo launched Sakara, an industry-disrupting wellness brand delivering ready-to-eat meals made with whole foods and ingredients you can trust. Reporting $150 million in revenue in 2021, Sakara has expanded into a lifestyle brand toting a namesake podcast, magazine, and community events, less than a decade after its launch. And according to DuBoise, a big part of the company's continued success has been her ongoing status as a student.

On this week's episode of WorkParty, Duboise said that ten years after her completing her certificate from the IIN, she is once again back in school pursuing a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. Why? In 2021, the fresh food meal kit industry was worth an estimated $6.9 billion and is set to generate over $10 billion by 2024. And with a growing number of competitors entering the market, Duboise says she sees pursuing her master's as an opportunity to cement Sakara Life's offerings as the most researched-backed, nutritious meals you can pop in your fridge. “I wanted to make sure our voice is known as one that is backed by research and scientific literature," said DuBoise.

That said, continued education isn't limited to a master's program. Anything from free online courses to applying for an education grant can set you apart from the crowd in your industry. So, consider browsing free courses at General Assembly, Udemy, or Coursera. (Who knows? It could give you just the edge you need.)

Want to learn more about Danielle DuBoise and Sakara? On this week's episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson chats with DuBoise about the brand-building process, life as a wellness entrepreneur (and new mom!), and her best advice for identifying your own version of balance.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE

Content warning: This episode includes discussions of eating disorders and body image struggles.

Guest User