of dementia and Alzheimer’s in melanated people, they’ve also included Lion’s Mane, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin E to support cognitive health and mental focus.“It took us over a year to manufacture during the pandemic - ingredients were out of stock, shipments were delayed and the FDA-registered manufacturing facilities were backlogged for months,” Harmon shares. Following these delays, Mela Vitamins launched its Daily Essentials in July of 2022.
“The health and wellness industry has had a complicated and often harmful history with melanated people who continue to experience inequalities. This has created distrust among those communities of not only the healthcare system but also of preventative wellness products like supplements. But we at Mela are working to change this,” says Harmon.
Harmon’s long-term hope is that the supplement industry continues to research and invest in new, custom-formulated products that address the unmet needs of various communities. She too hopes the industry will infuse greater accountability and transparency into considering the types of ingredients used in formulas.
“There are countless multivitamins, sleep aids, and energy supplements on the market. You have to find a problem you want to solve and create a product that has a unique value proposition that stands out in a busy market. Consumer focus groups are a great, low-cost way to understand consumer needs and test your pricing and branding.”“I am proof that you do not have to be a doctor to launch a supplement company, but you do have to build a foundation in science.
While these pieces of wisdom have inspired a great deal of opportunity for Mela Vitamins, Harmon’s long-term vision is to grow the company to a go-to supplement brand for melanated people: “We have created a new niche within the wellness and beauty supplement industry that has been largely underserved, and we want to continue to be leaders driving research and innovation in this area.
Thank you so much! We’re are honored to be featured. 🤎