How This Founder Transformed Her Side Project into a Highly Successful Kids' Brand

      Welcome to Second Life, a podcast that highlights successful women who have made significant career transitions and confidently mastered the art of pivoting. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer of Who What Wear, each episode connects you with women who are transforming their respective fields. Be sure to subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to stay updated.

      In today's society, being a parent comes with numerous modern resources that simplify everything from elevated maternity fashion to even something as basic as diapers. Meet Rachel Mansfield, a popular culinary content creator who has elevated kids' snacking to a new level of wellness while keeping it fun. As the innovative founder of Cadootz, a health-focused snack brand for kids, Mansfield has genuinely transformed the children’s food sector for the better.

      Her journey started on the business side of the food industry. After graduating from college, Mansfield worked for a couple of years in public relations in the beverage consumer packaged goods sector. Although the role provided stability, she soon realized she was seeking a more creative outlet and an additional source of income. To address this, she began a food blog on the side, where she shared original healthy recipes that were designed to be easy and enjoyable.

      Everything shifted when Mansfield was unexpectedly let go from her job. Instead of seeing this as a setback, she decided to fully embrace her passion project. She committed herself to creating even more recipes and producing videos that demonstrated how to prepare them at home. Her direct style struck a chord with her audience. Mansfield never claimed to be a formal food expert or a trained chef; rather, she engaged with her followers by showing that cooking and eating healthier is straightforward and accessible to everyone.

      Rachel Mansfield

      Just the Good Stuff

      Her relatable approach cultivated a flourishing online food community, with a loyal following who valued her focus on simple, wholesome ingredients and practical real-life applications. After years of sharing her recipes through her blog and social media, and eventually in a cookbook, Mansfield recognized a gap in the market that aligned with her values: high-quality snacks for children. This realization inspired her to create Cadootz, a brand committed to producing protein-rich crackers that emphasize flavor without sacrificing health. Free from unnecessary additives, these crackers provide families with a convenient, nutritious option that kids genuinely enjoy. Today, Cadootz can be purchased directly from its website.

      Tune in to the latest episode of Second Life to find out how Mansfield transformed her side hustle into a brand that makes it easy for parents everywhere to fill their snack drawers with healthier options.

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