Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michael Lloyd.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began moving to Atlanta in 2014 to raise my son and launch a start-up Food Technology company. I chose Atlanta because it is a chocolate city that promotes and supports black Entrepreneurship. Since I am both an Entrepreneur and a Scientist, I felt Atlanta would give me the best opportunity for success as our mission is to provide the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) market with innovative science-based health conscious, sustainably produced foods created by black culture representatives.
After completing the construction of our manufacturing facility on the West end (Fulton Industrial), we officially launched Num Num Sauce Company in 2018. Previously, I had worked in the pharmaceutical industry developing life-saving vaccines for different diseases in Research Triangle Park, NC. There, I completed a Master’s program in Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina Central University while working full-time. During the same time, I was approached by Whole Foods Market, as they were looking for healthy local products to carry in North Carolina stores. We began selling our Num Num Sauce products on their shelves as a trial run. The more we performed demos, the more people purchased the product. The feedback was so positive, I decided to pursue a terminal degree in Food Science, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State University.
Today, with PhD degree in hand, multi-million dollars in sales, 1 patent secured and two patents pending we are now raising capital to scale operations that will enable us to reach more consumers with our heath promoting Food Technologies and Lifestyle brands. We are actively looking for Atlanta Entertainers and influencers to partner with as investors, marketers, or supporters. Agribusiness is the future and our Food Technologies place us in a prime-time position to capitalize on our 1st to market unicorn status in the functional foods/functional condiment segment, thus creating opportunities to build supply chain management communities throughout the south using the STEM-based cultural phenomenon known as Num Num Food Technologies. Num Num means Good to you & Good for you.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. When it all started, I was engaged to be married with a family and lost it all after getting laid off from my 9-5. I was able to pivot by commercializing a passed-down family technology taught to me by my Grandpa. Then I had to get another 9-5 to fund the business and operate it out of my apartment. Finding trustworthy help was a challenge as well as securing sufficient capital. Due to the fact that I had no tangible collateral to put up, I didn’t qualify for traditional bank loans. I was able to use my 9-5 income to secure my first $10,000 loan to purchase a $8,000 mixer to create food inventions from scratch.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an Entrepreneur, a CEO, a Food Scientist, a Nutritional Biochemist, a Biomedical Scientist, a Bioprocessing Engineer and an Artist/Creative. My canvas is the Food and Bioprocessing laboratory. I create technologies in the form of processes that improve the quality and experience of food or life-sustaining nature-assembled phytonutrients that are compatible with the body. I am known for commercializing innovation in my field of manufacturing and bioprocessing.
I am proud of creating the Num Num Sauce brand. I am proud of helping to commercialize Prevnar 13 on my 9-5. I am proud to create Food Technologies that make foods healthier with more bioavailable antioxidants. I am proud to produce a great son. I am proud to be a leader and an example of a strong melaninated man in America. I am proud to create great-paying jobs for the people that need them most in America. I am proud to bring the technologies I’ve created back to the black community.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People might not know that Num Num Sauce is the most versatile condiment on the market. The tomato-based Num Num Sauces are great on carrots, zucchini, squash, onions, mushroom, potato chips, bread, salmon, chicken, steak, lamb, and pork. Mustard Num Num Sauces are great with raw spinach, kale, vegetables, chicken, pork, fish, burgers and lamb.
Also, due to the low sodium content of Num Num Sauce, it serves as a great delivery vehicle for lycopene antioxidants found in red tomatoes, which can lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease when circulation of lycopene is increased in the blood stream.
We have plans to use tomatoes as a cash crop to fund black communities in Atlanta. Our business model allows us to monetize open fields or plots of land for the growth of Num Num Tomatoes. Food Technology is the wave of the future and we are well positioned here in Atlanta for the black culture to sustainably lead the healthy lifestyle movement with great tasting food products coming out of the dirty south.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.numnumsauce.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/numnumsauce/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Num-Num-Sauce-160135491338132/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/numnumsauce?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa2aO2aff7I6ab5SnZy6zHg
Image Credits
Mekhi Lloyd Dr Michael Lloyd Archie Faison Justin Weaver Chapman Smith Cameron Wingo
