All of us are trying to get that model body in time for bathing suit season, and we finally have a secret straight from Chrissy Teigen! One of our Instagram favorites, Teigen surely has an enviable body, and she turns to our Women We Love this week for help. Jody Levy is the Co-founder and CEO of World Waters, and her WTRMLN WTR (that’s watermelon water for the uninformed) is the perfect for a daily dose of potassium, electrolytes and immune supportive vitamins…plus it has lots of celebrity fans and media support! Levy breaks down this “magic fruit,” how to brand a product and what it’s like having Richard Branson drink her water…
HOW DID YOU COME TO THIS PLACE IN YOUR CAREER?
I have been designing experiences for companies, brands and products for 15 years. I also have an experience design firm and create many large scale interactive environments, non-traditional theatrical events, exhibits and more. The philosophy behind the work has always been about appealing to the senses, and telling stories in ways that actively get people involved in them. I am a maker, a producer, a director, a strategist and a storyteller. All of these qualities are brought to WTRMLN WTR each and every day to make the product and the company the best it can be. We not only differentiate our brand with our unique product but we work every day with a style and a philosophy that inspires us and do whatever we can to extend that to our consumers.
WTRMLN WTR fan Chrissy Teigen
HOW DID YOU START OFF IN THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY?
My business partner had an idea to create a product from watermelons to launch us into the natural food space. It was our lack of experience and our confidence that we can achieve anything we set out to do that was our secret weapon.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO FOCUS ON WATERMELON AS OPPOSED TO OTHER SUPER FRUITS?
Watermelon is a superfruit. It has more nutrients and energizing hydration qualities than anything else. People love it and they are connected to it emotionally! And there are very few products that incorporate raw cold-pressed watermelon.
HOW DID YOU BEGIN BRANDING YOUR LINE?
My expertise in design and storytelling is infused in everything I do. The goal for WTRMLN WTR is to be accessible, fun and full of energy. We wanted to tell the story of our super-nutrient, good-for-you drink in a sensorial way at every touch point.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The best part of being a maker & entrepreneur is to inspire people to help share the story and build the dream. I love collaborating with amazing people who all want to have fun and do good work and make change in the world.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
There are challenges every day. The biggest one is to stay positive and be open to respond to each and every ebb and flow. To accomplish a lot while being financially efficient, and most of all, to be different and stay different and unique and maintain the integrity of the brand with every detail and decision.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
‘The best deals are often the ones you walk away from.’ By my father who taught me all I know about business and entrepreneurship. It applies to everything especially investment.
Jody Levy and Richard Branson
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO MEET CELEBRITIES AND SEE THEM USING YOUR PRODUCT?
It is so much fun to see anyone and everyone drinking and loving our product. That’s the best part; people really connect with the brand and the energy connected to it. It’s fun when recognized people get their hands on it and love it because our story then reaches so many more people.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TIPS FOR OTHERS LOOKING TO GET INTO THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY?
Know that it is a fight to make things pure and clean. Know that when others who have done it before tell you it is not possible – it really is! It may cost more money and it may be more work, but it’s worth it in the end. We need more quality products and companies with high integrity committed to the clean food movement.
