Though I am still suffering from my addiction to trading in the stock market (see my twitter feed to follow my compulsive trading), I continue to celebrate Small Business Week by announcing my recent investments in small business. I have found and invested in another new small business which is run by passionate, competent and honest people. This investment leaves me less funds for trading and makes me feel better because I'm doing something constructive with my investment money rather than using it to play the stock market casino.
Mamma Chia, an organic chia‐based food and beverage company based in San Diego, has launched its first‐to‐market, vitality beverage whose taste, appearance, nutritional value and story make it in my opinion one of the most exciting new food products in years. Chia seeds, an ancient grain, were used by both the Mayans and Aztecs for their amazing energy and natural healing powers. Rediscovered by a new generation of health‐conscious consumers, chia has exploded as the new super food. "It's the world's healthiest whole food," says Wayne Coates, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. These extraordinary little seeds are packed full of nutrients such as 8x more Omega‐3 than salmon, 30% more antioxidants than blueberries, 4x more fiber than flaxseed, as well as 70% more protein than soybeans. Chia seeds naturally deliver powerful health benefits that speak to a wide variety of consumer needs, such as quick athletic recovery, heart health, fortified immune system and weight management. The beautifully bloomed chia seeds are suspended throughout a blend of organic fruit juices, giving it a unique depth and glow. Mamma Chia is a fun and refreshing drinking experience with exceptional taste and nutrients, and an enjoyable texture that differentiates it from all other beverages.
I am not suggesting that you invest in this company. Even if you wanted to you couldn't since the investment round sold out. I am suggesting that if you can afford to invest, put your commitment into vibrant new companies, which create new jobs as well as new products. This type of investing is much more satisfying than buying stock in old established companies.
One of my criteria for investing in small businesses is that they are run responsibly and, even better, that they have a social mission. Mamma Chia's social mission is building cooperative relationships with chia growers and is committed to supporting their organic certification efforts, social justice programs and overall community growth. Mamma Chia is also a Certified B Corporations ("B Corp"), which is a new type of corporation that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps are unlike traditional businesses because they: meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards; meet higher legal accountability standards; build constituencies for good business. Mamma Chia is also a member of 1% for the planet, a growing list of companies (now 1457 of them) that donate 1% of their sales to a network of 2,483 environmental organizations worldwide.
Doing well by doing good is still alive at Mamma Chia.