In a previous blog, we laid out how EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com) started from scratch. It was an idea that was based on the needs of many people including myself to have high quality skincare products that were gluten-free. Given the founders backgrounds in medicine, pharmaceuticals and development of products, everyone thought we would be naturals at making this happen.
But, all new things are unknown and I have to admit that I was filled with lots of fear. Fear that anything from scratch would most likely fail. All the statistics show that greater than 90% of entrepreneurs fail. I knew the odds were against us. I had quit my job previously because I got sick and I was exploring many ideas but always found some excuse not to pursue them- too much start-up money, didn’t know the field, didn’t know how to start, etc. You know the feeling- making excuses so as to not do something you fear.
One day, I looked at my face and despite all the gluten I cut out from my diet, I still had some red spots on my face. I started studying the ingredients on the serums and creams I was using and noticed that many had ingredients that had gluten as a natural substance. Then, it struck me that this is something I can actually do with my skills and those of my husband. We could use our extensive experience to bring helpful products to the market.
With the money I had saved, I started a laboratory and bought high quality starting ingredients and laboratory equipment. It took nearly a year of research and development before I could get the product into its final form for you to use. We have now gotten to all the way to sampling our products in over a hundred women and men. We have gotten positive feedback which has kept us encouraged and also feedback to help us improve our packaging and instructions for use. All great steps to move forward before we have our first launch at the end of 2018.
Yet, I am still anxious as I know that it will take a lot more to be successful. A lot more work lays ahead but with the knowledge that many people will benefit from our serums and creams, we are determined. We also know that many entrepreneurs have walked this path of uncertainty and all had the fear of failure but they pushed forward. Some became successful and many did not. But, we wouldn’t know their stories if they didn’t try. They all made our world better.
So, what does this have to do with you, our customer? Many have asked me how do I know that EpiLynx will be successful…I know because I believe. That is the most important lesson. If we don’t try, we won’t know. To try and push forward, we have to get past uncertainties and take calculated risks. The reward of helping people with diverse skin types with our products will be well worth it. As physicians, pharmacists and scientists who started EpiLynx, we believe in the scientific design of our products and thank you for your trust in us.
Go forward and pursue your dreams. That is what makes the world a great place.
Co-Founders:
Liia Vainchtein, PharmD, PhD with Sumant Ramachandra, MD, PhD, MBA ]]>
First, le
t us clarify about EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com) products and then get to the topic of the gluten-free diet with links on resources to consider reading.
EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com) was created from scratch to address not just the gluten allergy that I and others have but sensitivities to common ingredients that many other people have. So, EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com) is gluten-free but also lectin-minimized. In addition, certain product lines, EpiLynx skincare (www.epilynx.com) are nut oil free for those who have nut sensitivities.
We have also, up to now, avoided adding phthalates and parabens as preservatives as our research has shown some health effects of these preservatives. To formulate these products for your skin type, we have done a lot of research and developed it from high-quality ingredients and made it in our own laboratories through internally-developed manufacturing processes. While we are a start-up, the co-founders come with decades of pharmaceutical and medical device research and development (R&D), Compliance and Commercialization experience. We have used our backgrounds to create a line of products that can be used by the diverse types of people we hope to positively impact.
Now, the topic of a gluten-free diet. Is it for everyone? The simple answer is “No”.
Everyone has different sensitivities and different requirements. This is what we as medical professionals believe. If you have a gluten sensitivity be it an intolerance, allergy or celiac disease, you need to consider going to your physician or to a nutritionist who can help guide you on how to eliminate gluten from your diet. If you don’t have it, for dietary purposes, it is recommended to reduce consumptions of simple sugars and starches many of which happen to be in foods with copious amounts of gluten- think of foods like most breads, cookies, beers, pastries and even surprisingly some grains.
A pure gluten-free diet is not easy to follow so if you don’t have a gluten sensitivity, you don’t need a gluten-free diet and just need to consider minimizing simple sugars and starches that are linked to other metabolic diseases. A healthy diet, regardless of who you are, is always a good thing to follow. We always recommend you consult with your physician or a nutritionist to work on the ideal diet for you.
In a future article, I will write about how my husband and I changed our diet and the very positive impact in had in our physical and mental energy. But, that is for a later time.
We care about you! So, please live a happy and healthy life.
Co-Founders of EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com)
Liia Vainchtein, PharmD, PhD with Sumant Ramachandra, MD, PhD, MBA
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Our story at EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com) is one that is the exact opposite. Starting from scratch in research and development (R&D) and quality manufacturing principles based on decades of our pharmaceutical drug and medical device experience was critical for us to feel proud of the products we offer you.
Each ingredient has been selected based on research and the final formulation development of each line is based on what is known about skin types. There are many pre-made, preservative-full products in the market today. We don’t want to be
that. Not only are our products gluten-free and lectin-minimized, they are also paraben-free and phthalates-free. These last two are common preservatives that we don’t want in our EpiLynx (www.epilynx.com) products. Many brands claim that they are made from “natural ingredients” but that doesn’t mean that they don’t use preservatives in large quantities. Using “natural” ingredients doesn’t mean that it is “healthy” for you either.
Our formulation is meant to be gentle on the skin and each line of products is complementary to the other. That is why starting from scratch was so important to us. We scientifically-design products that we can guarantee with our experience and care for you. Thank you for entrusting your skincare to us.
Visit www.epilynx.com and receive your free sample today!
We have 10, 20, 50, some of us 100 pairs of shoes. And yet, when we enter the store, our eye always wonders to find more shoes.
Because we don’t have this specific heel, this light orange color or this soft material. This is all very understandable and logical – it seems. I often ask myself – am I addicted? Why do I obsess about shoes? Is there something wrong with me and am I trying to fill some ‘dark hole in my heart’ with ‘more shoes’? Is there something in my childhood that went wrong and now I am cursed for life?
Aren’t we all asking ourselves this???
If you do lose sleepless nights about worrying what is wrong with you and why you want those shoes, just Let It Go… And go ahead, buy those beauties.
Seriously, you only live once and everyone of us deserves to feel great in the shoes that fits us and our unique personality!
But will it? Really, will it??
The power of a name and its value has long been immortalized in prose and poetry. Everyone recognizes himself or herself by name. The name can make or kill business.
A few years back I saw a podcast by Sara Blakely of how Spanx was named ‘Spanx’ and it fascinated me ever since. She explains how names with a sound ‘k’ in it seemed more powerful and worth remembering.
I am still thinking of a perfect name for my skin care business and I am not taking it lightly. It is funny how relatively easy chemical formulations come to my mind (being an analytical chemist) and how intensively hard it is to decide on a name for them (not yet being a good marketer).
Business names can be emotional. Business names have the power to influence, the power to include and the power to exclude. They have the power to inform, like Facebook, and they have the power to create a clean and consistent image, like McDonald’s.
While there are many reasons why name is important, I believe that the most important reason is YOU.
If you aren’t inspired by the name, then you are not that inspired by your business. If you don’t genuinely believe in what you are creating, you aren’t likely to push as hard to get to where you want to be.
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The translation of this is (literally): Nothing goes above Groningen. And it is true for at least 2 reasons. It is one of the most picturesque cities in The Netherlands. It is the largest city before you come to the North Sea, therefore there is indeed nothing ‘above’ that.
I have lived in Groningen for 20 years. Even though I loved it, I always found it very provincial. And after my studies, I took the first opportunity that came my way to leave.
Now, years later, I have lived in Amsterdam, Zaandam, Nieuw Vennep, London, Royal Leamington Spa, Northbrook, Lincolnshire and Chicago. I finally realize that indeed nothing goes above Groningen.
It is the city filled with life, fun, students, professors, pubs that are open till 2am and fantastic restaurants.
Groningen, with its population of 202,567 as of 2017, it is the largest city in the north of the Netherlands. Groningen is a true university city: it houses the University of Groningen (with about 30,000 students) and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (with about 25,000 students).
The University of Groningen has a rich academic tradition that dates back to 1614. After the University of Leiden, it is the second oldest Dutch university. The university educated the first female student, Aletta Jacobs, the first Dutch national astronaut, Wubbo Ockels, the first president of the European Central Bank, Wim Duisenberg and two Nobel prize winners, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes and Ben Feringa. 200,000 people were either students, teachers or researchers at the university. Groningen has the highest percentage of students by total population, approximately 25 percent.
My husband (born in England, raised in India, Nigeria and USA) loves Groningen. He even suggested we retire there. I broke up with one of my boyfriends when I was a student because he wanted to buy a farm and stay in Groningen… Now, I am thinking to do the same.
My husband surprised me and my parents by booking a trip to Groningen for 3 days for my 40th birthday last week. It was the most wonderful birthday I have ever had in my life and it was fantastic to spend it with my family and in MY CITY.
We stayed in the old monumental building of Miss Blanche. We always stay there and Love it. For my last 39th day we dined at Houdt van Eten in Heerestraat. And for my 40th, we have visited de De Kleine Heerlijkheid. It was simply the best! The restaurant is based in the living room of the 17th (400 years old) building.
I am getting old… and nostalgic, or.. may be I am just realizing the value of friendships, love and accepting that it can be a small provincial town when one feels at home.
Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do… but how much love we put in that action. Mother Teresa
What is this fascination with watches?
I personally love jewelry, all kinds of jewelry. But I never was a fan of a watch..until I met my husband and finally it dawned on me that ‘The Watch’ is The Jewelry for a man which defines him, that tells others about his style, personality, what work he does and even his love life…
Interesting fact: Did you know that it was only during World War I when finally soldiers were tired of fishing around their pockets to find the hidden pocket watch and started wearing it on a bracelet on their wrists.
Before that time, a watch worn on a bracelet was considered strictly women’s fashion.
In the beginning, men wearing watches on their wrists were ridiculed by the public and it was seen as silly trend. But very soon after, wrist watches become the norm and the status symbol.
Nowadays, beautiful watches are replaced by often hideous looking apple watches and other ‘health’ watches but many men still stick to this old fashioned piece of jewelry that they can pass on to their sons, or other family members.
According to the The Gentleman’s Journal, there are still 15 most iconic watches for men of all times, such as Rolex, Cartier and Patek Philippe..
We both were hyped up about the novelty watches and went and bought apple watches (iwatch) a few years ago. We wore it for 3 weeks until our life revolved around how many steps we have done and how our heart was working and how many more minutes we had to stand during the meeting and we were tired of the little irritating thing ‘controlling’ our lives..
Therefore, I went back to NOT wearing a watch and my husband went back to his good, old Rolex.
“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are… it is our choices. – Dumbledore, from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
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– John Barrymore
My husband and I adore food, any food: from hamburgers to fine french cuisine. When we visit a new city/country, we always try to find authentic restaurants but also look for any Michelin star awarded restaurants..It is our guilty pleasure. Some people spend their money on spa’s and resorts, we spend them on food…
How Are Michelin stars Rewarded to Restaurants?
The term “Michelin Star” is a hallmark of fine dining quality and restaurants around the world proudly promote their Michelin Star status. Losing a star is like “losing a girlfriend”, some chefs say…
How did it all start?
In 1900, fewer than 3,000 cars graced the roads of France. To boost the demand for cars and, accordingly, car tires, car tire manufacturers and brothers Édouard and André Michelin published the first edition of a guide for French motorists, the Michelin Guide. Can you imagine this? They never thought this will become the Famous and Highly Prestigious Michelin Guide system.
The acquisition or loss of a star can have dramatic effects on the success of a restaurant.
I will be featuring various best restaurants all over the world. Enjoy!
Here is one of the best restaurants we have visited so far, farm-to-table, fresh Californian cuisine: Restaurant at Meadowood 3 Michelin stars.
