Podcast with Rani Alfers: Turning Passion into Purpose
The Working Women Mentor podcast is recognized as one of the Top 100 Career Minded and Working Women Podcasts and featured on ABC’s Good Morning Texas. Hosted by business owner, mother, and mentor Rani Alfers, this bi-weekly podcast delivers mentorship moments that inspire, empower, and guide women at every stage of their journey. If you’ve ever experienced a piece of advice that truly moved you, this is the space to relive that magic and uncover new #MentorMoments.
In this episode, Rani sits down with Leslie Danford, founder of Vitaminis, a wellness startup that emerged from her inspiring pivot during the pandemic. Leslie shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the challenges of balancing motherhood with launching a business, and how small, consistent steps can create remarkable change. Together, they dive into the realities of the supplement industry, the power of mentorship, and practical approaches to wellness in a busy world.
Rani: Hi everyone, welcome to "Working Women Mentor." I’m Rani Alfers, and I’m so excited to introduce today’s guest, Leslie Danford. Leslie is the founder of Vitaminis, a wellness company that delivers health in small, portable juice shots. Her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship is inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to hear how she made it happen.
Leslie: Thanks for having me, Rani! It’s great to be here. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. My mom loves to tell the story of how, as a kid, I sold coloring books I made for a quarter each. After building a career in corporate roles and earning my MBA, I was working in hospitality when the pandemic hit, and my job was eliminated. Suddenly, I was at home with my three kids, thinking about what was next. I’ve always been passionate about holistic wellness and the importance of nutrition, but I struggled to find vitamin options that worked for me and my family. I hated swallowing pills, and most gummy vitamins were full of sugar. That’s when the idea for Vitaminis was born—a natural, whole-food-based vitamin shot that’s easy to take and guilt-free.
Rani: That’s such a great idea! How did you go from having the concept to actually building the product?
Leslie: It started with small, manageable steps. I interviewed about 50 friends and family members, asking what they struggled with in nutrition, what they liked or disliked about products on the market, and what they looked for in healthy options. Those conversations helped me refine my vision. From there, I worked with a formulator to develop the product and found a manufacturer willing to produce small batches. It was important to me to take incremental steps, both to reduce risk and to allow for changes based on feedback.
Rani: That’s such a smart way to approach it. But how did you balance all of this while taking care of your kids during the pandemic?
Leslie: Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without childcare. I made it a priority to carve out focused work time so I could give my full attention to either my kids or my business, but not both at the same time. I also invested in small things like hiring help with cleaning so I could use my limited time more effectively. It’s all about being intentional and setting boundaries, though it wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, I’d try to multitask and end up feeling stressed and distracted. I learned the hard way that being fully present—whether at work or with my kids—makes everything more manageable.
Rani: That’s such valuable advice for working moms. Speaking of advice, what would you say are some key lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
Leslie: One big lesson is to embrace incremental progress. Whether it’s a new business, a career shift, or even lifestyle changes, small steps add up over time. Another is to seek feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable. Early in my career, a mentor pointed out that I was staying in a job I didn’t love, and it made me reevaluate my path. Those moments of honesty—whether you’re giving or receiving feedback—are critical for growth. Lastly, it’s so important to stay flexible. Life is unpredictable, and you have to adapt, whether that means changing your product formula or adjusting your personal routines.
Rani: Flexibility seems to be a recurring theme, even in how you’ve designed Vitaminis. Can you tell us more about the product and your philosophy behind it?
Leslie: Absolutely. Vitaminis is designed to make wellness accessible and easy. Our juice shots support gut and immune health, and they’re perfect for busy people who don’t have time for complicated routines. You don’t have to take them every day—just keep them handy and work them into your routine when you need them. For example, you might grab one on your way to the gym or mix it into a smoothie. It’s all about balance and convenience, not perfection. I also focus on clean, simple ingredients that deliver real benefits. For instance, our gut health shot includes probiotics and fiber, while our immune support shot has zinc, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Rani: That sounds great. How do you see the company growing in the future?
Leslie: Right now, my priority is expanding retail availability so more people can discover Vitaminis. Long term, I’d love to introduce new products, like a greens shot or protein-based options, and expand into other formats like mini bites or bars. My goal is to create a whole line of convenient, whole-food-based wellness products.
Rani: That’s such an exciting vision! Before we wrap up, what’s one mentor moment or takeaway you’d like to leave with our listeners?
Leslie: My biggest takeaway is that small steps really do add up. Whether it’s starting a business, improving your health, or making a career change, focus on doing one small thing every day. Over time, those little actions will lead to big results.
Rani: I love that. Thank you so much for joining us, Leslie. Your story is inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Vitaminis!
Leslie: Thanks so much for having me, Rani. If anyone wants to learn more, you can visit us at vitaminisbrand.com or follow us on social media. We’re also available at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and The Fruitful Yield in the Midwest.
