I think we can all agree that 2020 was the most interesting year we’ve had in a long time. Though most of it was a blur, we sure are happy to welcome the new year. In doing so, we look back on some of Makers Nutrition’s highlights and remember the year wasn’t ALL that bad.
Breaking Records
COVID Impact
The word of the year for Makers Nutrition seems to be UNPRECEDENTED. When COVID-19 struck, Founder and CEO Jason Provenzano spearheaded a strategic plan that took diligence to execute. The virus caused a rush of orders from both current and new clients, an unprecedented client volume, who were eager to offer customers immune system supporting supplements. Due to such a high demand, we decided to extend our award-winning private label stock program to include immune health formulas, ranging from vitamin C capsules to our raved-about elderberry gummies.
Mr. Provenzano knew that with such a steep increase in business, things could easily fall to the wayside if not properly tended to. That is why he and management made swift but efficient arrangements to accommodate safe distancing throughout the office and employees whose situations called for a work-from-home schedule. Once the physical aspects were sorted, our team was provided material to ensure organization and prevent purchase order mishaps or misunderstandings.
Our product specialists worked tirelessly to guarantee their clients’ private label supplements would continue to be manufactured to high GMP standards and only in optimal conditions. Changes both mandated and voluntarily instated, including double shifts and restricted visitor access, made it possible to produce the unprecedented number of orders Makers Nutrition has so proudly fulfilled.
Awards
In 2020, Makers Nutrition has won an unprecedented number of business and industry awards. Our company was recognized globally in the 2020 International Business Awards, winning a total of 16 titles, including the GRAND Stevie and three
People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Manufacturing and Consumer Products. Other award programs included the 2020 Globee® Awards, Pillar World, Customer Sales and Service®, One Planet, and Golden Bridge Awards. Most prominent, however, is winning Organization of the Year in the 2020 Business Intelligence Group Excellence in Customer Service Awards. Our focus is providing incomparable customer support and quality product for our clients and their customers, and these honors are a testament to our commitment to those exact priorities.
Press
Mr. Provenzano was also recognized by CEO Magazine for his successful leadership in the nutraceutical industry, running an Inc. 5000 Fast-Growing Company in America. Highly esteemed for his role both before and during the pandemic, he garnered 2020 Gold Pillar World Awards: Great Workplace of the Year for Leadership Commitment, Manufacturing, Business Products, Business Services, Consumer Products, Healthcare Products & Services, and was honored with Gold Great Workplace of the Year in the U.S.A.
Company Culture
With three Business Intelligence Group Best Place to Work awards and two Inc. Magazine Best Workplace awards, Makers Nutrition is no stranger to what it to takes to retain employees and keep them motivated. With the coronavirus on everyone’s mind, Mr. Provenzano knew he needed to do something to boost morale. With the limited number of staff in the building, he made sure to order lunch for the team most days. Keeping with tradition, he gave the green light on a socially distanced costume contest, which did NOT disappoint.
Charity
While Makers Nutrition is thriving, we understand that many other businesses are suffering, so we take nothing for granted. As a rapidly growing company, we knew we could make a big difference for so many. We made sure to donate as much as we could to organizations with a mission during these trying times. 2020 is now the largest year for Makers’ donations.
First, we gave over $100,000-worth of high-quality flavored protein supplementation to LeSEA Global Feed The Hungry, a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding those who are poor and hungry around the world.
But we didn’t stop there…
Nutrition is our strong suit, and we know how difficult it can be get proper nutrition when money is dwindling. That is why we donated $5,000 to Long Island Cares, Inc. - The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank, which has implemented a number of actions to assist the Long Island community during the coronavirus pandemic. Before we knew it, Thanksgiving was right around the corner. To keep with the momentum of morale, we held an in-house food drive for more fellow Long Islanders. Adding some friendly competition to the mix put us over 800 pounds worth of non-perishable food and household items that were then donated to Island Harvest Food Bank, a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need right here at home.
December has been a busy month. We reached back out to LeSEA Feed The Hungry to support immune systems around the globe by donating $30,000-worth of chocolate-flavored immune health powder. This powder’s properties range from inflammatory response to bone and joint health, and we could not be more thrilled to have the opportunity to donate what we have to such a life-altering organization, which leads me to our final donation of 2020.
Friends of Karen is a non-profit organization that provides emotional, financial and advocacy support for children with a life-threatening illness and their families to keep them stable, functioning, and able to cope. In our second year of partnering with Friends of Karen, we donated ten gift cards to five families, making this holiday season one to remember.
The Gift of Giving
We at Makers value the gift of giving. It is our privilege to provide nourishment during such a difficult time. More than anything, however, we are proud to be able to come together and give hope to those who need it most. With 2020 in the rearview, may we all drive off into a healthier, safer, more unified 2021.