A former teacher bootstrapped his protein powder company with $20,000 weeks before COVID. A forced pivot turned it into a seven-figure e-commerce business.

Jack Schrupp founded Drink Wholesome in 2020 after struggling with protein powders that upset his stomach. Starting from his dorm room, he experimented with various ingredients to create a viable product. His teaching job served as a testing ground, where students provided candid feedback on his protein powder. After years of development and a $20,000 investment in initial inventory, he took the leap to run Drink Wholesome full-time, catering to individuals like himself with dietary sensitivities.

I lived in the dorm and I didn't have a whole lot of privacy - my life spilled over into the lives of my students and vice versa.

The taste left a lot to be desired, but it didn't upset my stomach, and that's what mattered most to me.

At some point in time, we had a little tasting... that was honestly very helpful feedback because they are brutally honest.

After years of experimentation and recipe refinement, he decided to test his hunch and launch a protein powder company called Drink Wholesome.

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