Community Highlights: Meet Panya Heard of DittyPop Smoothies

Today we’d like to introduce you to Panya Heard. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was laid off from a 20-year corporate job March 2019. I was very happy about being laid off, although I was making six figures working there was like a bad marriage. I knew I didn’t want to work there anymore, but had no idea what I wanted to do next. After the layoff, I took a sabbatical to figure out my next steps. October 2019, I created my business DittyPop Catering. I graduated from culinary school 2017, so I knew I wanted to be in the food industry. I was a private chef until March 2020 and COVID changed everything. I was in my brand-new career and I had no idea what to do next. I pivot my business model to sell smoothies. I thought selling a tangible product is a good idea instead of marketing my service as a private chef. DittyPop Smoothies was born May 2020, and I signed up for 5 different farmer’s markets during summer 2021. Why smoothies? I had to ask myself how can I contribute to helping people being healthy. COVID-inspired smoothies. I knew I could help educate and communicate about how to live a healthy lifestyle. I had to educate myself again about nutrition and research ingredients that promote health. All of my food and beverages I sell are now 100% vegan. People think drinking cold-pressed juice is healthy, but I found smoothies are better because of the fiber and complex carbohydrates. I create all of the recipes myself, so I only use organic fruits and vegetables. I keep it fresh by changing the flavors to match the season. Now I look forward to bringing this full circle and offering food items like soup, salads, and sandwiches spring 2022. The large goals I have for DittyPop is to purchase a food trailer so I can offer fresh food year-round. In the meanwhile, I have been selling new products from my website, and currently trying to lock down wholesale accounts with local retailers. I look forward to creating new food and beverage items during 2022. I want the Denver community to be able to purchase my smoothies in the freezer section in local grocery stores everywhere. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road isn’t smooth now. Finding capitol to keep my business going has been challenging. I have applied for a lot of grants online, and I want to start a crowdfunding campaign soon. I will be able to promote a crowdfunding campaign at farmer’s markets and social media. I am not bringing in enough money to apply for a business loan, so finding alternative funnels of income has been challenging. Whether I am making smoothies or food, I have to purchase bottles, containers, and food in bulk. I have to believe it will all work out and keep applying for grants. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about DittyPop Smoothies LLC?
All of my food and beverage products are vegan. I want my brand to be known for healthy food that is both nutritious and delicious. There are many businesses that sell pressed juices, but there are not any that sell smoothies at the farmer’s markets. I don’t think others have figured out how to sell smoothies the way I do. The shelf life in the refrigerator is only a couple of days, but if frozen the smoothies’ shelf life is 2-3 months. I make the smoothies and put in a sealed bottles that are frozen immediately. My customers love ordering the smoothies in various numbered packs because they can have smoothies on demand. No mess, no rush, no fuss. I offer a members-only subscription on my website, and customers can get a 10 pack of smoothie flavors of their choice delivered every month for $10 less than retail price. Customers that join our email subscription will get fun recipes, and special discounts on any products sold on the website. I enjoy creating new recipes so when people see my brand in stores, I want them to know it’s not only vegan, but it will also be delicious when they take it home. People need a product like mine so they won’t be hesitant of the word vegan anymore. 

How do you define success?
Success in business is when a person is working a job that they love and have passion for. It has nothing to do with the amount of money you make, but everything to do with determination and believing in yourself and your products. 

Pricing:

• 5 pack of smoothies $7 each
• 1o pack of smoothies $6 each
• 20 pack of smoothies $5 each
• 30 pack of smoothies $4.60 each

Contact Info:

• Email: dittypopllc@gmail.com
• Website: www.dittypop.com
• Instagram: dittypop_smoothie
• Facebook: dittypopsmoothies

Image Credits
Zachary Reed
Gabby Poux