Part 7/10:
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for AKUA. Facing the reality that kelp jerky might not be scalable, Myers and her team pivoted to develop the Kelp Burger—an iconic, approachable product symbolizing the American food system and its flaws. Her co-founder Matt, working from his parents' rural Pennsylvania kitchen, developed the burger recipe, testing thousands of samples across the country.
Despite logistical challenges, including inconsistent product delivery and testing, the Kelp Burger gained traction. Their efforts paid off, with over 22,000 burgers sold, generating more than $100,000 in revenue. This success confirmed that simple, familiar products are more likely to be adopted and scaled effectively.