How I Built This with Guy Raz – Orgain: Andrew Abraham

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz,” Andrew Abraham, the founder of Orgain, shares his inspiring journey of creating a top-selling brand of nutritional drinks and powders. After facing a life-threatening illness, Abraham was inspired to develop an alternative to high-calorie shakes like Ensure. What started as a recovery drink for people undergoing surgery or cancer treatment soon became a lifestyle drink for people on the go. Despite completing his medical residency, Abraham realized that his true calling was to focus on Orgain’s growth and success.

Main Takeaways

Inspiration and Personal Journey

• Andrew Abraham founded Orgain after a life-threatening illness inspired him to create an alternative to high-calorie shakes like Ensure.
• Orgain started as a recovery drink for people undergoing surgery or cancer treatment but became a lifestyle drink for people on the go.
• Abraham’s father, a pediatrician who treated everyone and often for free, inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare and to help people in need.
• At 17, Abraham was diagnosed with a rapidly aggressive cancer called rabdomio sarcoma and underwent intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
• Reading about nutrition during his treatment gave Abraham a sense of control and hope during a difficult time.

Challenges and Persistence

• Dr. Abraham faced challenges in manufacturing and packaging the shakes but persisted, eventually creating the brand Orgain.
• He took a major risk by investing over $100,000 to make thousands of cases of his product for Whole Foods.
• Despite juggling his residency and managing the production and delivery of his product, Abraham managed to deliver his product to Whole Foods.
• Andrew ran the business alone for almost four years as a one-man show.
• Despite facing clumping issues with the product, Abraham took a major risk by putting it back on Whole Foods shelves after fixing the problem.

Growth and Success

• Orgain is on track to hit around $700 million in sales this year and makes one of the best-selling protein powders in the United States.
• The business grew steadily through Whole Foods and word of mouth, and expanded to Sprouts and Wegmans.
• Andrew left his family’s medical practice to focus on Orgain full time, despite his father’s initial hesitation.
• Orgain was bootstrapped for ten years until Butterfly Equity became a partner in 2019, allowing the company to grow and reach a global audience.
• Nestle’s majority stake in Orgain means that the company has the potential to become a dominant product line in the food and beverage industry.

Summary

Inspiration and Personal Journey

Andrew Abraham’s battle with cancer inspired him to create Orgain, a brand of nutritional drinks and powders that provide a healthier alternative to high-calorie shakes. The experience of undergoing intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery led Abraham to explore the power of nutrition in his own recovery. He found solace and hope in reading about whole foods and fresh vegetables, which inspired him to develop a product that could help others on their health journeys.

Challenges and Persistence

Building Orgain was not without its challenges. Abraham faced obstacles in manufacturing and packaging the shakes, but his determination and persistence allowed him to overcome them. He took significant financial risks and managed the production and delivery of his product while juggling his medical residency. Despite setbacks and clumping issues with the product, Abraham’s unwavering belief in the quality and benefits of Orgain led him to take bold steps to ensure its success.

Growth and Success

Orgain has experienced remarkable growth and success in the market. With projected sales of $700 million, it has become one of the best-selling protein powders in the United States. The brand’s expansion into major retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Wegmans has contributed to its widespread recognition. Andrew Abraham’s decision to leave his family’s medical practice and focus on Orgain full time has allowed the company to thrive. With the support of Butterfly Equity and Nestle’s majority stake, Orgain is well-positioned to become a dominant player in the food and beverage industry.

Conclusion

Andrew Abraham’s journey of building Orgain is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. From his personal battle with cancer to the challenges of entrepreneurship, Abraham’s story is an inspiration to those facing adversity. Orgain’s success not only lies in its top-selling products but also in its commitment to providing nutritious options and helping those in need. With a bright future ahead, Orgain continues to redefine the nutritional drink industry and improve the lives of its consumers.