Eye on Small Business: Bare Life hot chocolate

Diagnosed during her junior year at Johns Hopkins University with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),  Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid cancer and Lyme disease, Ali Lazowski started to find that many of the foods available to her either didn’t cover the multiple allergens of which she now had to be mindful or simply didn’t taste good.

That’s what motivated her to establish Bare Life, a company offering a range of chocolate drinks that, in her own words, “challenge the norm of overprocessed, high-sugar foods, creating delicious, clean-label, plant-based options for everyone.”

After a busy holiday season for Bare Life, we caught up with Lazowski, who launched her business in West Hartford in 2018, to learn more:

In a nutshell, or near-nutshell, what makes these products special?

“Bare Life reimagines nostalgic comfort foods, starting with hot cocoa, by eliminating unnecessary ingredients like preservatives and fillers to create organic, plant-based and gluten-free versions… everyone loves. Our dairy-free hot chocolates and frozen hot chocolate stand out not just for being better for you but for being rich, indulgent and delicious – period. Made with simple, sustainably-sourced ingredients, our hot cocoas are lower in sugar and calories than traditional mixes and can be prepared with just hot water. It’s a clean-label treat that doesn’t compromise on taste or convenience, representing the future of hot chocolate.”

And who buys Bare Life – a broad demographic?“

Our customers range from individuals with food allergies or sensitivities to those seeking clean, plant-based indulgences. Families, wellness enthusiasts and even those who simply love great-tasting hot cocoa are part of our growing community.”

Great products by the sound of them. How do you advertise?

“At Bare Life, we blend creativity and strategy to share our story. From our vibrant social media presence and passionate brand ambassadors reaching more than 300,000 foodies nationwide, to our regular features on QVC and media outlets, we connect with customers in meaningful ways. We also host product demos in stores and at trade shows, engage through a newsletter with a 30% open rate, and are always expanding our partnerships to bring awareness of our allergen-friendly treats to even more people.”

What are your biggest challenges in the growing business and how you’ve overcome them?

“Keeping up with growing demand and navigating supply-chain fluctuations. To address these, we’ve worked closely with trusted suppliers to maintain consistent access to our high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and scaled our operations strategically. By staying flexible and proactive, we’ve continued to deliver the crave-worthy, allergen-friendly products our customers love.”

And can you comment on your experience, either good or bad, of doing business in the region? Have you received or do you receive any material help from any of the regional business councils?

“Connecticut’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has been a true game-changer for Bare Life. Support from reSET’s impact accelerator, the Connecticut Small Business Development Centers’ (SBDC) invaluable mentoring, the Women’s Business Development Council’s (WBDC) excellent classes and grants and the University of Connecticut’s Intellectual Property and Law Clinic’s expert patent and trademark guidance have empowered us to innovate, grow and thrive in ways we couldn’t have achieved alone.”

Lastly, any developments or future plans you can share with us?

“We’ve got some exciting things ‘brewing’ behind the scenes, including new flavors and entirely new product lines. While we can’t share all the details just yet, let’s just say there’s a lot to look forward to, so stay tuned.”

 

Hot cocoa mocha by Ali Lazowski:

This vegan recipe – which is also corn-, dairy-, gluten-, soy- and refined sugar-free – takes five minutes to make a single serving:

Equipment:

Your favorite coffee mug

Tablespoon

Stirring spoon

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons (1 serving) Bare Life Coconut Hot Cocoa Mix

6 ounces of your favorite prepared hot coffee

Instructions:

Add 1 serving or 3 tablespoons of Bare Life Coconut Hot Cocoa Mix into your favorite coffee mug. If you are using Bare Life’s single serving packets, simply tear open the packet and pour the cocoa mix into your mug.

Prepare 6 ounces of your favorite coffee and pour it into your mug.

Stir until smooth and enjoy your mocha creation. For those who can indulge, this pairs well with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate syrup.

Tips:

You can also create a pumpkin spice hot cocoa mocha or peppermint hot cocoa mocha by using Bare Life’s Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa Mix or Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix.