We don’t always know it, but we’re surrounded by people who do cool things. Entrepreneurs, designers, artists, you name it — we love to be inspired, and we think you will too. We asked some of our friends to answer short questions about themselves relating to career, habits and life. Enjoy!
Denise Woodard is the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, an allergy-free, health snack food company. Denise founded the company after her young daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. Partake Foods currently offers five types of cookie snacks, with flavors like birthday cake and sprouted grain chocolate chip.
Denise and Lindsay Knaak-Stuart, Founder and CEO of Meant, have a lot in common — they’re both first-time entrepreneurs and moms with young children, looking to create products safe for their families. Lindsay’s son has multiple food allergies and they met at a cookie party that Denise was hosting. Lindsay (and her son) were relieved to have finally found a sweet snack that he could enjoy!
Name: Denise Woodard
Job Title: Founder/CEO
How did you get into this work? I spent my career in CPG, most recently at Coca-Cola's Venturing & Emerging Brands group, where I had the opportunity to work on entrepreneurial brands like ZICO coconut water and Honest Tea. In 2016, I learned that my (then 1 year old) daughter Vivienne suffers from multiple food allergies, and when I couldn't find solutions that met my nutritional standards and her dietary restrictions, I left my career to start Partake.
Getting to know you…
Desert-island product? I'm ashamed to say — iPhone.
Signature scent? Jo Malone - Lime Basil and Mandarin
Go-to outfit? All black everything. For everyday, black leggings and yoga shirt. And for fancy occasions, skinny black pants and some variety of a black top.
Guilty pleasure? Aimlessly wandering the aisles of the grocery store. I'm always in a rush or sticking to a list, but when I have the chance to walk through the aisles of Whole Foods and check out all of the new products, I am a very happy camper.
Favorite piece of furniture in your house? Dining room table. We have a big sheesham wood dining room table, and I love to gather around the table with my family for dinner to catch up on the day or to entertain friends/family.
Last show you binge-watched? This is Us — cue the tears every time I watch.
First concert? New Kids on the Block!
Favorite vacation destination? Mexico. Whether it's Cabo, Punta Mita or Mayakoba, give me all of the tacos, jalapeno margaritas and sun.
Favorite Instagram account? @melissawoodhealth. I don't know her, but she seems like the most happy, genuine soul, and her food and workout recos are always on point.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? "Treat everyone with the same respect as the CEO" — I think that there's so much more that could be accomplished in business if people were just nice. No one likes dealing with a jerk!
App you can’t live without? FreshDirect — A family has gotta eat!
Quick fire, go!
Mascara or lipstick? OR Hair: Product or No Product? Lip Balm — Eminence Organics Citrus Lip Balm.
Morning or night? Morning
Neat or messy? Neat
Beach or mountains? Definitely beach
Shower or bath? Shower
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Bar soap or body wash? Body wash
Quality or quantity? Quality!
Shave or wax? Wax
Swear or don’t swear? Swear
On time or run late? On time
Flats or heels? OR Sneakers or flip flops? Sneakers
Dogs or cats? Dogs
3,000 unread emails or zero inbox? Zero inbox
Toilet paper: under or over? Over
You can find Denise and Partake Foods at:
