Teacher's entrepreneurial journey

Niki Price, a Colorado public school teacher, found herself on an unexpected entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of a multi-million dollar company. Her venture, inner-eco, was born out of a desire to help her immuno-compromised son, who had faced numerous rounds of antibiotics in his early years.

The catalyst for inner-eco was coconut water kefir, a solution Price discovered while researching for answers to her son’s health challenges. Reading “The Body Ecology Diet” by Donna Gates, she came across a recipe for coconut water kefir aimed at rebuilding the gut microbiome. Witnessing significant improvements in her son’s health, Price started making the dairy-free kefir for friends and family, noticing its positive impact on various health issues.

Teaming up with her colleague and friend, Barb Vogel, inner-eco was founded in 2008 with a clear principle: “No debt, and no investors.” The business, entirely self-funded, began in Price’s home kitchen, crafting coconut water kefir using only fresh coconut water and kefir grains.

Beyond building a successful business, Price and Vogel infused a philanthropic mission into inner-eco. Previously activists in the classroom, they channeled some of the profits from kefir sales to support causes such as ending child slavery in South Sudan. The business became a force for positive change, aligning commerce with impactful social initiatives.

Reflecting on the journey, Price emphasizes the transformative power of gut health. Fifteen years later, inner-eco continues to be a beacon for those seeking natural, fermented food solutions for gut health, reminding Americans of the importance of incorporating such foods into their daily diets. Price’s passion for health and service underscores inner-eco’s foundational purpose: to pay it forward and serve others.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Forbes}