Meet Christina Laham | Innovator, Trailblazer, Adventurist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Laham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
My entrepreneurial journey has been fueled by a profound dedication to living a meaningful life centered around serving others, born from the challenges of overcoming stage IV cancer and MS. This passion has been the driving force behind every creation and business decision I’ve made. From creating a kale smoothie product to growing it into a commercial brand in both the USA and Canada, my journey has been about enriching the lives of others through my creations. Along the way, I’ve built a mission statement and a brand, expanded product lines, entered new markets, and accepted investments to evolve. Throughout the challenges, my vision remained unwavering, providing me with strength and purpose. Now, 15 years later, I’ve doubled down on my initial goals, with my end game steadfast – to serve people and our planet.
To maintain authenticity while ensuring business profitability, I’ve adopted a dual approach: a corporate brand and a grassroots farmstand. While drinkme® products are available at retailers like Whole Foods Markets, reaching a broader audience, I maintain a personal connection by selling handcrafted artisan smoothies and juices at local farmers’ markets.
In essence, my journey epitomizes the fusion of business acumen with unwavering authenticity, a testament to the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship.
While my business goals once centered on growth and selling the brand, I’ve come to realize that there isn’t an end game – instead, it’s about continuously serving and evolving with purpose.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Drinkme®, we believe that everyone deserves access to great plant-based nutrition every day. Our mission is to transform lives by offering simple and convenient whole-food nutrition options. Our products not only positively impact individual diets and lifestyles, but also contribute to shifting the Standard American Diet (SAD) towards a more balanced state and fostering planetary health. We draw inspiration from nature, ancient wisdom, and modern science as sources of healing. In our commitment to sustainability, we ensure that fiber is incorporated into all our products and minimize waste from production. Our beverages utilize every edible part of the ingredients, including ribs, stems, seeds, and peels (excluding coconut, citrus, and bananas). While our environmental blueprint may differ from that of our competitors, we prioritize lean manufacturing concepts and meticulous supply procurement to minimize waste.
While green beverages have become increasingly popular, Drinkme® stands apart as more than just a fad in a niche industry. Our products appeal to a wide range of people and budgets, offering sustainable and authentic value that consumers can trust for years to come.
As part of the organic and natural products industry, we believe in the strength of our supply chain. Following the principles outlined by John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods Markets, in his book ‘Conscious Capitalism,’ we strive for a symbiotic relationship with our suppliers. We conduct business with suppliers that bring added value to everyone, fostering win-win partnerships. As an extension of the Whole Foods Market family, we take this responsibility seriously. We maintain close relationships with our suppliers from farm-to-bottle, nurturing these connections with trust at the core. Our focus on the sustainability of our supply chain reflects our commitment to bringing these values to every product we offer.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite things to do is to visit murals around LA. My favorite is the angel wings project, by Colette Miller. The one on Melrose ave is pink and so beautiful, and depending on the time of day, it is best to read the instructions on the sidewalk to prevent the shadows from getting into the photos. The meaning behind the angel wings project is truly spectacular and I invite everyone to come and see them for themselves.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my journey and the lessons learned to all those who have supported, inspired, and believed in me along the way. To my family, friends, mentors, and supporters who have provided unwavering encouragement and guidance, I owe immense gratitude. To the customers who have embraced my products and mission, thank you for believing in the vision I set out to achieve. To the entrepreneurs and dreamers who may find inspiration in my story, may you find strength and courage in pursuing your own path. Lastly, I dedicate my journey to the planet and all its inhabitants, a constant reminder of the purpose behind my endeavors – to serve and make a positive impact on the world.

Website: www.drinkmebeverages.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissy_gypsy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-laham-paganelli/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.paganelli/

Image Credits
Christina Laham