Shazi Visram
Shazi Visram | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | Columbia University (BA, MBA) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist |
| Known for | Happy Family |
Shazi Visram is an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, best known as the founder, CEO, and Chief Mom of Happy Family Brands.[1]
Early life and education
Visram was born in Toronto to immigrants from Pakistan and Tanzania.[2] At the age of three, she moved with her parents and brother to Birmingham, Alabama, where they lived in a room at the motel the family operated.[3] Visram says that owning their own business was her parents’ biggest source of both stress and pride. She credits her entrepreneurial parents for their example.[3]
Visram graduated from Indian Springs School in Indian Springs, AL before attending Columbia University, where she received her BA in History and Visual Arts in 1999, and later her MBA from Columbia Business School (‘04) in Management and Entrepreneurship.[4][5]
Career
Founding Happy Family
While attending Columbia Business School, Visram began writing her business plan for Happy Family after chatting with a friend, who admitted to feeling guilty about not being able to make homemade food for her babies.[6]
After a brief round of investment from family and friends—the first person to write a check to the company was Visram's mother, Zarin—Visram raised $23 million from 186 individual investors from 2004 to 2012, including Honest Tea CEO Seth Goldman, chef Tom Colicchio, and actress Demi Moore.[6][7][8][9]
2006–2013: Growth, initiatives, and sale to Danone
In 2006, Visram, along with Founding Partner and COO Jessica Rolph, formally launched Happy Family, known at the time as Happy Baby. In May 2013, Visram sold 92% of the company to Groupe Danone, noting "the broader opportunity we weren't able to tap into" provided by Danone to bring more than 100 products to market in 34 countries.[6][10] Following the sale, Visram remained CEO until December 2017.[11]
Recognition
- An Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company[12]
- Rockstar of the New Economy (Fast Company, 2012)[13]
- Innovator of the Year (Stevie Awards, 2016)[14]
- Distinguished Early Achievement Award (Columbia Business School, 2016)[15]
- 20 Most Influential Moms of the Year (FamilyCircle, 2017)[16]
- University Medal for Excellence (Columbia University, 2018)[17]
References
- ^ "Shazi Visram - HappyFamily". HappyFamily. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ Parekh, Rupal (2013-06-02). "Women to Watch: Shazi Visram, Happy Family". Ad Age. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ a b Shah, Khushbu (2016-05-08). "Thanks for Making Me a Fighter". Success. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ "Columbia College Today". www.college.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Notable Alumni". www.indiansprings.org. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ a b c Savchuk, Katia. "Shazi Visram On Building A Multimillion-Dollar Business And Work-Family Balance (It Doesn't Exist)". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ Jordan, Mary (2013-09-03). "Honest Tea CEO Seth Goldman is expanding the company in pursuit of healthier foods". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Happy Family's Shazi Visram Talks to Chef Tom Colicchio about Organic Food for Kids". The Worley Gig. 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ Pothering, Jessica (2014-10-08). "How 'Happy Family' Became Healthy Baby-Food Pioneers". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "The Best Exit? The One You Do On Your Own Terms". Inc.com. 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Happy Family taps new CEO, teases 'breakthrough developments' in 2018". Food Dive. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Happy Family co-founder has reason to smile". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Happy Family Founder and CEO Shazi Visram Honored as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum". Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "2016 Stevie Award Winners | Stevie Awards". stevieawards.com. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ yz (2015-09-25). "Honorees". Centennial Dinner. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "The 20 Most Influential Moms of 2017". Family Circle. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
- ^ "Shazi Visram | Office of the Secretary". Columbia University. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
External links
- "Leading a Healthy Life". Milken Institute.
- "How This Daughter of Immigrants Went From Living in a Hotel to Commanding a National Baby Food Empire Worth $150 Million". Inc.com. 2017-06-14.
- "How to Emotionally Connect With Customers While Staying on Message". Inc.com. 2017-05-24.
- "New Organic Baby Formula Modeled After Breast Milk". The Wall Street Journal.