I’ve struggled to find energy drinks that give me a boost when working out but don’t make me feel jittery. Love Aila, a plant based Matcha Energy Drink Blend founded by Katie Webb. Learn more about her and Aila below!

Tell us a little bit about you and your brand:

I spent 10 years in media and brand partnerships in the sports and lifestyle space, but have always been a fitness fanatic and consumer. In my time in the NYC and LA fitness communities, I realized a lot of women shared a similar frustration with me around the lack of better for you, performance nutrition options. It seemed most of us were drinking coffee before our workouts and very avoidant of pre-workout supplements, which are tailored for fitness but often contain high stimulants, lots of artificial ingredients and poor long term effects on your health. I was determined to create something better. I launched Aila with the mission of bridging the gap of performance and wellness – by leveraging the plant-based, better for you ingredients of the wellness industry, to create products that support your active routine, too.

What makes your products unique and different? 

At Aila, we make superfood + vitamin blends to support your fitness and your overall wellness. We’re unique in that we’re a superfood supplement that’s PHD-formulated for active routine support, with added benefits from ingredients like b-complex vitamins. Our customers are mostly active, fitness consumers or those looking for a better alternative to coffee. Why drink your pre-workout in the morning, and a superfood latte later in the afternoon, when you can have both together? :

How has your product had an impact on you personally?

 Aila has hugely impacted my life – there’s nothing more fulfilling for me than being able to get up everyday and work on something I deeply care about, that’s also impacting people’s active and wellness routines in a positive way. The biggest challenge is certainly the moments of imposter syndrome, as well as being a self-funded brand. I’m grateful to be surrounded by a number of other early stage and women founders I’ve met along the way that have been a great support system for the tough times, and great cheerleaders for the wins.

What’s next for you and for Aila?

 Something I’m SO excited for and has been a long time coming! In the next few weeks, we are launching with a brand refresh, new packaging, and 4 new products. We’re also going to be launching in a few key retailers very soon and raising an angel round of funding.

One piece of advice for new entrepreneurs:

 Have as many customer (or potential customer) conversations in the early stages to ensure you’re on your way to product market fit. That can mean creating something in your kitchen and having 50-100 people try it to give you their feedback, or let you know if it’s something they’d buy. Getting ahead of that as much as possible before you launch a brand can help ensure there is a real need.

Also, when you’re thinking about your business plan, always start with your mission. Your mission is something that should never ever change, and every decision you make in your business should always ladder up to it.

Shop Aila here!