In a conversation with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Aisha Yang, Co-Founder and CEO of Herbaland Naturals Inc., shared the inspiring story of how she transformed a kitchen-table startup into Canada’s largest nutritional gummy manufacturer. Leveraging her expertise in sales and marketing, as well as an Executive MBA, Aisha’s entrepreneurial vision has driven Herbaland’s success, expanding to over 40 countries and launching innovative products like YumBiotic. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community impact, Herbaland became the first B Corp certified gummy manufacturer, setting a new standard for environmental stewardship in the industry. Aisha’s journey reflects her dedication to making health and wellness accessible while building a company that prioritizes both people and the planet.
Aisha Yang is the co-founder of Herbaland Naturals, Canada’s largest nutritional gummy manufacturer. She began her entrepreneurial journey after the birth of her third child, leveraging her sales and marketing background and an Executive MBA to build Herbaland into a global leader with a focus on diversity, sustainability, and innovation. Her leadership has earned numerous awards, including the 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year and a 2023 RBC Women of Influence award. Under her guidance, Herbaland has become the first B Corp certified gummy manufacturer, producing over 250 products and exporting to 40 countries while prioritizing community and environmental stewardship.
Can you share the story behind Herbaland’s origin and how you and your husband transitioned from your kitchen table startup in 2009 to become Canada’s largest gummy vitamin manufacturer?
Herbaland was born from a simple desire to create a better life for our family and test the waters of entrepreneurship during my maternity leave in 2009. With a passion for health and wellness, my husband and I decided to enter the supplement industry, focusing on an untapped niche: nutritional gummies. We believed in the potential of gummy supplements to revolutionize health products, making them both fun and functional.
In the early years, we poured all our efforts into building the business, and in 2014, faced a significant challenge when our sole supplier was acquired, disrupting our supply chain. Instead of giving up, we saw this setback as an opportunity to pivot. We took a bold step, moved from being a retailer to a manufacturer, and invested in our own gummy-making equipment. Though the learning curve was steep, our determination paid off, and we developed our first successful formula.
Today, Herbaland is proud to be Canada’s largest nutritional gummy manufacturer. We continue to innovate and expand, striving to be a world-class pioneer in the industry while staying true to our roots and commitment to providing high-quality products that make a positive impact on people’s health.
Herbaland emphasizes a mission of bringing health and wellness through tasty, earth-friendly nutrition. How does this mission shape your approach to product development and sustainability?
Herbaland’s mission to bring health and wellness through tasty, earth-friendly nutrition shapes our approach to both product development and sustainability. We focus on using plant-based ingredients and reducing our environmental footprint through innovations like eco-forming technology in production. By vertically integrating our supply chain and building strong, long-term supplier relationships, we ensure ethical sourcing and high-quality products.
Sustainability is at the core of our business decisions, from ingredient selection to minimizing waste and energy use. Our commitment to these practices earned Herbaland the 2022 SEAL Award for global sustainability leadership. As we grow, we remain dedicated to creating products that are good for both people and the planet, staying true to our mission.
What are some of the key milestones and achievements at Herbaland that you are most proud of, both as an entrepreneur and as a company committed to community and environmental stewardship?
At Herbaland, we are proud of several key milestones that reflect both our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community and environmental stewardship. Achieving B-Corp and Climate Smart certification were significant accomplishments, requiring us to reassess every aspect of our operations—from supplier relationships to manufacturing and distribution processes. These certifications reinforce our commitment to sustainability and long-term value creation for all stakeholders, including consumers, employees, suppliers, and communities.
Additionally, we take great pride in manufacturing 100% of our products in Canada, ensuring quality and supporting the local economy. These efforts align with our purpose to create a positive impact on health, wellness, and the environment, while building a legacy that will sustain Herbaland for generations to come.
YumBiotic is your newest product launch. What inspired the creation of this melt-in-your-mouth powder stick, and how does it fit into Herbaland’s overall product lineup and mission?
YumBiotic was inspired by our commitment to creating fun, functional, and inclusive products that enhance health and wellness while delivering an enjoyable taste experience. We wanted to offer a unique, melt-in-your-mouth powder stick that supports gut health and can be easily integrated into everyday routines. As with all Herbaland products, YumBiotic aligns with our mission of providing health-boosting solutions that are both accessible and sustainable.
The product is responsibly sourced from sustainable suppliers, ensuring we uphold our commitment to minimizing environmental impact. YumBiotic fits seamlessly into our product lineup by expanding our range of innovative, plant-based options, allowing consumers to enjoy the benefits of health supplements in new and exciting ways while staying true to our core values of wellness and sustainability.
Looking ahead, what exciting plans or innovations can we expect from Herbaland in the near future, and how do you see the company evolving in the years to come?
Looking ahead, Herbaland is focused on continuing to innovate and invest in the highest-quality ingredients to ensure our products remain at the forefront of the health and wellness industry. We are committed to maintaining our “Made in Canada” standard, delivering reliable, innovative products that our global partners and consumers in over 50 countries can trust for their family’s health.
Our future plans include expanding our product range with more sustainable, plant-based offerings while continuing to enhance our manufacturing capabilities. We aim to strengthen our global presence by developing new partnerships and deepening relationships with existing ones. As we evolve, our focus will remain on combining innovation, sustainability, and quality to positively impact the health and wellness of families worldwide.
