Entrepreneur Profile: Melanie Archuleta, founder & CEO of Solis Nutritional

What was the inspiration for your business?

I’ve always loved helping to empower people and families by supplying them with knowledge about the power of good whole food nutrition and how it can help us thrive in a toxic environment. I want to offer products that not only deliver wholesome, balanced nutrition but that taste amazing too with comforting flavors like vanilla chai and native chocolate mint.

What inspires me daily? Knowing that Solis is reaching more people everyday! People are making decisions to live healthier lifestyles by educating themselves on the power of nutrition, and the fact that we are contributing to good health is priceless.

What’s been your road to success and critical success factors along the way?

I’ve really enjoyed watching Solis Nutritional Blends continue to grow into a national company. I’m constantly setting realistic, daily, weekly, monthly goals and expectations. I also surround myself with those who are loving & support my passion to help people live healthier lives.

Describe a mistake you made with your business. How did you fix it?

I can’t think of a specific mistake but I make many and always try learn from them. Sometimes, I tend to procrastinate and end up putting myself under pressure to compete a task that should have been taken care of earlier.

Keeping my business, family life and my own personal health balanced can be a real challenge sometimes. I wear many hats throughout the day and I find that staying positive really helps to get me through each and every day.

What’s your best piece of advice for fellow entrepreneurs?

Being a successful entrepreneur is a journey that involves focus and persistence. Stand behind your vision and your values and always stay true to yourself. Surround yourself with those who are there to love & support you through your journey and never give up!

Where are you going? What is the vision for your business?

Solis will continue to offer premium quality, authentic, plant-based nutritional products for years to come. We plan on expanding our Solis line to include additional whole food supplement products as well as continuing to focus on superfood and Ayurvedic nutrition that fits into an everyday lifestyle.

What was the first retail account you landed?

It was luckyvitamin.com.

Has anything surprised you about working with independent retailers?

It takes a lot of time before you reach a store shelf but that wasn’t a big surprise to me. 

How do you position your products in mass, natural and online?

We focus on the uniqueness of Solis and its attributes. Solis Nutritional Blends are great tasting supplements with a focus on superfood & Ayurvedic nutrition as well as Chinese botanicals, all in a base of coconut oil powder. Our products are formulated to provide optimal nutritional support for the entire family.

How do you develop relationships with retailers and educate them about your company’s story?

Here at Solis, we always offer ongoing support & staff training. We also provide promotional and educational materials so retail customers can learn more about Solis Nutritional Blends products.

What most helped market your product in the beginning?

I started using Facebook to market Solis Nutritional Blends and that got the ball rolling in the beginning.

What’s a guilty pleasure of yours?

If I’m not careful, I find myself reaching for crunchy foods like organic blue corn chips, especially when I’m stressed or have deadlines to meet. I can tend to over indulge and not realize how many I’ve actually eaten until the bag is empty. I always try to find balance by making time for a green smoothie everyday.

What's the inside scoop on yourself? 

I started doing hot yoga about seven years ago and love it! I go at least three to four days a week and will not miss a class, no matter what. I can stand on my head, do splits and get into poses I was never able to do in my twenties and early thirties. I have two teenage children who think I’m crazy for doing headstands for 10 minutes everyday.

Do you have a favorite recipe for preparing your nutritional blends?