Adventures of A Healthy Lifestyle Start Up — Livliga As A Case Study

 

You know you have been around awhile when…you are used as a case study in business school!

As a healthy lifestyle company we have had so many adventures and learned a lot a long the way. I have always welcomed and been willing to share my experience in hopes it might inspire and help others. One of my entrepreneurial tenets is that it is important to make time to help others. Others helped me the same way as I was developing Livliga.

The help I have given has taken on many forms over the years. I have spoken to many people one-on-one in phone calls and zoom meetings and over coffee…lots of coffee. I have been interviewed for podcasts, like the Beehive. I have been interviewed for books written for entrepreneurs and starts ups, like Main Street Entrepreneur and Makers Who Made It. I have made presentations to peer groups, like the USDA/ MyPlate and the Denver University School of Business.

What surprised me recently was when I found out Livliga and my start up story are now part of online business courses and and case studies for business schools. I first learned of this from my husband. He called me up after having facilitated an order for a customer. He often likes to ask people how they learned about Livliga. This time the customer said she had learned about us through a business course she had taken in Utah…the university had used our company as a case study. She was impressed with our story and wanted to invest in our product! I was very flattered and curious. So next I went online and found out we are also part of an online course by MyEducator. In fact we are part of Lesson 3—New Venture Creation and are featured in the chapter called, Knowledge From Personal Experience. Google is amazing. I would never have known this if my curiosity had not been piqued.

Lesson learned? It is important to be a participating member of the various communities we become a part of as a start up, entrepreneur, and woman business owner, as examples. And if you have been around long enough people start telling stories about you! Having our story told beyond our own blog and website is not only humbling but a great way for more people to learn about Livliga. And truthfully, we have more than one story to tell. There is the story of inventing the product but that story is not only personal, it is a story about the birth of an innovative product and business. Hopefully that story is already spawning the next generation of innovation to help people live healthier lives.


 

Download Our Free eBook:
The Science & Psychology Behind the Plate

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How Livliga Got Featured in Six Books

Adventures of a Healthy Lifestyle Start-Up: How Livliga Got Featured in Six Books

Livilga is so fortunate to be featured and positively mentioned in a number of books related to health and wellness as well as entrepreneurship.  We are very honored that this has happened. In just the few years we have been building our brand and offering our product we have been mentioned in 6 such books. Remarkably, three of those books have been published just in the first half of 2019!

A number of people have asked me how this happened. Honestly, this is nothing we sought out or had any control over.  If there is one thing that I could look back at and say had an influence on our being considered is my being responsive when people made inquires about our product, asked us for samples for consideration, or even requested information about the company. I always made sure I made time to respond.

You never know where a chance introduction or networking opportunity will lead. That is certainly the case with Livliga. The partnerships we have developed and the relationships with professionals in the field we have had the opportunity to nurture have caused our product to be considered relevant in a number of ways. These touchpoints have allowed experts in the health and wellness world to understand the benefits and pertinence of Livliga to their constituents. To be mentioned and featured in such far-ranging books as The Pocket Carbohydrate Counter Guide for Diabetes, Finally Full Finally Slim and The Diabetes Cookbook for Electric Pressure Cookers is a testament to the relevance of our product for people needing and wanting to live a healthy lifestyle whether they are focusing on weight management, are living with a health condition, or want to maximize their quality of life.

When the Grommet first introduced themselves to us they told us they were looking for products that were “disruptive,” meaning that the product would cause someone to see something differently or do something differently. They saw our product as meeting both those criteria. What our product asks someone to do is to change his or her behavior around food. We are a paradigm shifter. A few years later we are proud that the two books the founders of the Grommet have written—Makers Who Made It and How We Make Stuff Now—have both included Livliga’s story. Another book on entrepreneurship that included Livliga is called Main Street Entrepreneur by Michael Glauser. We have always welcomed the opportunity to share our story in hopes that it will be relevant and can help other entrepreneurs and their start-ups succeed.

Being mentioned and featured by others is not only flattering, it is validating. To be a young company that has been discovered and showcased as having been innovative, disruptive, and helpful to others, is not only gratifying but also motivating. We want to live up to the belief others have in us! It also allows those interested in our product to hear from professionals and experts about what we make and why they recommend it. This helps us grow and reach those who can benefit from our line of healthy lifestyle products.

Having been mentioned in so many books is an unexpected honor and benefit to our business. Networking with others and looking for ways to partner may help people discover and mention your brand. But first, you need to have a product that stands up to the test: Does it solve a problem? Is it innovative? Is it made well? Do people like it? Without these basics, there will be little interest in having it mentioned by others. We are proud of our product and how it has helped people. We are grateful that others in our industry have recognized what we have to offer and believe in it. 

Download Our Free eBook:
The Science & Psychology Behind the Plate

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Livliga has been Recognized Nationally for the Caliber of Our Product

Livliga product is unique. We often point out that our products have three utility patents. What is less known are the awards and recognition we have received because of our unique, innovative, and stylish designs. We currently have three awards to share.


Gourmet Retailer Editor’s Pick—2016 Best New Product   

We were thrilled to receive the Best New Product designation for our LivSpoon®.  As they said…”We picked it because: Measuring spoons that double as attention getting serving spoons…creates a world where portion control…just got a whole lot more fun”.

Martha Stewart Made In America—2014 Finalist for Design

Livliga was recognized as a finalist in design for our American-made Aveq wine glass. To be picked as a Finalist among thousands of products submitted for consideration and then judged as part of the Martha Stewart’s American Made nationally recognized awards program, celebrating rising stars of the growing maker culture, is a dream come true.  To have this health and wellness company be recognized for its design is indeed an honor.

Moonbeam Children’s Book Award—2013 Bronze Medal Winner

It takes a team to create a nationally recognized children’s book. Sammie & Sax in the Land of Quinoa: the Search for a Balanced Meal is an original book with illustrations that helps kids learn about a balanced meal, eating healthy, and how to do it as a family. To have this first book, of a series to be written, recognized among multi-thousands of entries is truly humbling. The adventure book is given to every child that receives a set of Kidliga dishware and can also be bought separately. Now this special book has been translated into Spanish. The book is available both in hard back, in English, and electronically, in Spanish.  This is part of the Livliga dream to be available to all ages and accessible to everyone.

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Why Livliga Works--our dinnerware is lead-free and uses FDA approved food-safe inks

Livliga Dinnerware

by Debra Lynn Dadd | Feb 16, 2016 | Debra's List, Dishware, Food

Elegant portion control dinnerware made of sustainable and durable porcelain. Attractive designs make it easy to put controlled portions on a plate and have it look appealing. Dinnerware is “lead free” and uses only FDA approved, food-safe inks for the decoration.

There are so many reasons why Livliga works for living a healthier lifestyle. An important reason is that we use materials that are certified safe and are also eco-friendly. In order to live healthfully Livliga believes the products you use should also be healthy to use.

We are pleased to share with you that our products were recently showcased on Debra Lynn Dadd’s website which is the largest website available on toxic-free living. We are honored to be listed and included there.

Here is more information on her website:

The Largest Website on Toxic Free Living…

This website is all about how to recognize toxic chemicals that are harmful to your health and how to protect your health from them. It has more information on this subject than any other website. This website addresses all aspects of being healthy in a toxic world, including choosing an finding toxic free products of all kinds, how to detox toxic substances from your body, and how to repair the damage toxic chemicals have done to your body.

and the ONLY Website that is 100% Toxic Free

There are many websites now with information about toxic chemicals and safe alternatives. But often this information is mixed with many other subjects that are not related. This website is dedicated to everything toxic free: my directory lists only toxic free products, all health tips are oriented around removing toxic chemicals from your body or repairing toxic damage, every recipe tells how to use toxic free foods and prepare them in toxic free ways. How to live toxic free is THE subject of this website, and nothing else.

Debra Lynn Dadd goes on to explain:

Exposure to Toxic Chemicals is the #1 Health Problem in the World Today

Virtually EVERY Health Problem Has Now Been Associated With Toxic Chemical Exposure

If you have a health problem, chances are toxic chemicals are contributing to it. If you want to protect your health, live longer, look more beautiful, improve your sex life, lose weight, think more clearly, or improve your physical, mental, and spiritual condition in any way, becoming free of toxic chemicals will help. In fact, it is clear to me that if you have and physical or mental condition, toxic chemical exposure is probably at the root of it.

Livliga is committed to help build a world that is healthier to be in and live in. We recognize the importance of this third-party acknowledgement and wanted to share it with our readers.

Live vibrant!

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Introducing! Celebrate: The Poetry of Life

Celebrate dinnerware speaks directly to our emotions and senses with motivational phrases and beautiful designs (photo by Chris Bohnhoff)

Livliga is proud to introduce its latest line of dinnerware—Celebrate: The Poetry of Life. In an effort to make healthy eating an enjoyable, pleasurable, and even stylish experience, leading lifestyle brand, Livliga, is proud to introduce this newest dinnerware line, Celebrate: The Poetry of Life. Based on the company’s VisualQ’s philosophy, the 16-piece set will help redefine the portion control category by taking the guesswork out of “right-sized” eating, while incorporating an elegant and poetic flare.

The Celebrate design is reminiscent of a French Bistro (photo by Chris Bohnhoff

The Celebrate collection combines inspirational poetry, stylish black and white designs, with tried and tested science to provide a product that is unmatched in quality, aesthetic and function. With beautifully designed tableware reminiscent of a French bistro, each dish features etched drawings and illustrations of healthy foods and phrases that motivate users to “celebrate” a healthy lifestyle. Such words as “celebrate good food,” “live bold” and “sip in gratitude” are inscribed onto porcelain plates, bowl and mugs. With no two dishes alike, users are able to mix and match the set in ways that suit their needs and moods.

Each piece of Celebrate is unique

“It’s easy to feel denied and deprived when making healthy lifestyle changes,” said Founder and CEO of Livliga, Sheila Kemper Dietrich. “I wanted to develop a product line that helps us all find the joy in eating and living well. Livliga has created dinnerware that speaks directly to our emotions and senses with motivational phrases and beautiful designs, while subconsciously guiding us to improve our eating habits by positively affecting our mood and sense of satisfaction. I am very proud to share our latest creation, Celebrate: The Poetry of Life.

Celebrate dinnerware can be mixed and matched according to your mood and needs (photo by Chris Bohnhoff)

Livliga believes that developing healthy eating habits can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, without having to sacrifice great tasting meals. As a result, the brand offers dinnerware, serveware and glassware that subtly guides users in eating well-balanced meals with appropriate serving sizes. With the help of its VisualQs philosophy, which states that our bodies and minds seek visual cues to help us determine how much food we consume in one sitting, Livliga products use strategic shapes and symbols to help users practice portion control, with ease, and feel fuller with right-sized portions. The Celebrate line, like all other Livliga products, uses the psychology of eating to promote healthier lifestyles. In addition, Celebrate is the only pattern that uses words to influence us while we eat, in an effort to foster positive emotions and satisfaction with right-sized portions.

Celebrate while inspiring us also makes it easy to measure right-sized servings (photo by Chris Bohnhoff)

The Celebrate line is sold in 16-piece sets for a four-person setting, and is available for $198.95. Livliga’s complete product offering can be purchased at LivligaHome.com.

Its time to Celebrate. Treat Yourself Today! (photo by Chris Bohnhoff)

Come Celebrate with us! And as always, Live Vibrant!

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Livliga--Martha Stewart Finalist--How Our Livliga Story Deserves Your Vote

VOTE NOW!

Who would ever have imagined just a few short years ago that I would have started a company of elegant portion control tableware, Livliga,  and one of my glasses would be a finalist in the Martha Stewart Made in America contest!?!

It has been an amazing journey developing Livliga. It all started with a conversation at the kitchen table. Then, after a lot of research, I sat at the same kitchen table with my measuring cups, stencil paper and a sharp pencil to start experimenting with possible designs for our dinnerware line. It was a concept, hardly a line of tableware, at that point. Indeed just circles on a piece of paper.

I knew I wanted to create right-sized dishes that had measurements built into them...but they had to be subtle. In fact, they had to be beautiful. I knew it had to be something I  would want to use everyday, at every meal, and with my family and friends. Nothing existed out there that even resembled what I was talking about. I wanted everything I used to be appropriately sized and part of a suite so it all matched in design and feel, even if its purpose was portion control.

Since I had no reference point I had to draw what I was imagining. Then I went to the local "color your own" pottery store to fashion what I wanted to create. It was hardly elegant but it was fun and it did incorporate the measurements I wanted that would help me with the servings sizes I should use for the different food groups, according to the USDA.

Then there was more I learned about how design, shape, size and color could affect us psychologically, in a positive way, to help us in feeling satisfied with right sized amounts of food....instead of the super-sized amounts we are used to. I wanted to incorporate those elements into the tableware too. That required more experimenting.

Once I knew it could be created and that it worked because each of us using my hand-painted portion control dishes lost weight,  I went in search of an artist to take the VisualQs concept to the next level.

Tim Foss is a very talented artist. The best part was he took my concept seriously and was actually very excited about the vision of Livliga. His genius has helped us create beautiful tableware that supports people in right-sized eating...and drinking... as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Today we have two designs of dishware available, Halsa and Vivente, with a third near completion. We have another design, Aveq, for our glassware, which includes our "Made in America" wine glass, and serveware. This design adds a fun eclectic aspect to our line.

In production, to be launched at the beginning of the New Year, are our LivSpoons. They are a merger of a measuring cup with a serving spoon. They will come as a set of four in different measuring sizes-- 1 cup, 3/4 cup, 1/2 cup and 1/8 cup to go with the typical serving sizes of the different food groups. And, of course, they map to the circle measurements incorporated in the tableware.

It is incredible to realize that this July we received a  patent for our concept of elegant portion control tableware. And now, thanks to the Martha Stewart Made in America contest, Livliga is being recognized  for our design. There is something truly wonderful about a portion control tool being made a Wild Card Finalist in a design contest. And why not? Shouldn't everything we use, regardless of purpose, be both useful AND beautiful?

Now we need your help to vote for our product to become one of the award winners! You have until October 13 to show your support. Each day you can cast 6 votes. The more you vote the more chance you have to win your own "award" of $300 from Martha Stewart.  Click here to vote for Livliga. As a fledgling start up working hard to make a positive difference in people's lives we can't thank you enough for your help. Let's make the world a little more beautiful and a lot healthier by spreading the word about Livliga and casting votes!

Live Vibrant!

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Please Help Livliga Be A Martha Stewart Made In America Finalist!

Please Help Livliga Be A Martha Stewart Made In America Finalist!

Okay blog friends and readers--

I have something fun and potentially big to ask of you! Livliga, specifically our wine glass, is a nominee this year for the Martha Stewart Made in America contest. We would like to see, with your help, if we can get to be a finalist. Here is what you can do: Over the next 6 days, the nominations with the most social shares will have the opportunity to earn one of 200 wildcard finalist spots. All finalists must be selected by Tuesday, September 9th at 11:59 PM. So, can you help? Please share our link: http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/91148/design/livliga on facebook and twitter and ask everybody else you know to do the same. Let's see how big a rumble we can make across the world of social media!

Thanks for helping! Let's have some fun!


Enjoy! And Live Vibrant!

Sheila

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LIVLIGA RECEIVES PATENT ON LINE OF PRODUCTS

LIVLIGA RECEIVES PATENT ON FULL LINE OF PRODUCTS AND BECOMES INDUSTRY LEADER IN PORTION CONTROL DINNERWARE

Livliga Portion Control Dinnerware Receives Patent

(New York, NY) Beginning on July 1, 2014, Livliga, a lifestyle brand dedicated to providing solutions for healthy eating, will hold a patent for its line of portion control tableware and soon-to-be offered LivSpoons. As a result, Livliga will not only help to define, but will set the standard for portion control eating, while providing individuals with effective tools for managing and maintaining a desirable weight.

Livliga is the first and only brand of its kind to hold a patent for its tableware. The full suite includes plates, bowls, mugs, glasses and serveware. Designed to subtly guide users in eating well-balanced meals with appropriate serving sizes, Livliga uses a unique philosophy known as VisualQs to help users “right-size” their eyes, and thus the portions they consume, based on recommendations by the USDA.

The VisualQs concept states that our bodies and minds look for visual cues which help us determine the amount of food we consume in one sitting. With this in mind, Livliga products feature designs, colors and symbols, and the strategic placement of each, to help guide individuals in practicing portion control eating.

Founder and CEO of Livliga, Sheila Kemper Dietrich, developed the product line out of her desire to combat the obesity epidemic which currently plagues the US. She has dedicated her efforts to conducting extensive research, planning and testing on behalf of the brand, and connecting with health professionals and everyday people who are in need of effective everyday tools. She states, “As the only brand on the market to receive such a patent, we view this as a major accomplishment in solidifying Livliga as a cutting-edge provider of healthy lifestyle tools and a resource for the millions of Americans who aspire to live healthier lives.”

The complete Livliga product line is sold in 4-piece individual place settings, 16-piece sets for four people, sets of glassware and other accessory pieces. Prices range from $17.95 to $198.95, and can be purchased at LivligaHome.com.

Livliga's Vivente Portion Control Dinnerware now patented!

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