Latest news with #Janis
The National
21-05-2025
- Science
- The National
Rare whale spotted on Scottish west coast 'for first time in 20 years'
A beluga whale, known for their all-white colouring and high intelligence, was spotted in the waters of Loch Broom. The sea loch is on the north west coast of Scotland. Ullapool sits on its shore. Belugas are a very rare sight in Scotland. In January 2024, a sighting off West Ayre in Shetland was reported as only the sixth time the whale had ever been seen in Scottish waters. Normally, the white whales live in much colder waters, such as the Arctic, north Canada, or Alaska. Noel Hawkins, a consultant for the Ullapool Sea Savers, told the John O'Groats Journal: 'A few days ago, we passed what I thought was a strange cetacean as it looked light coloured. 'My partner Janis looked back and saw it spyhop and thought it was a porpoise, which seemed strange as I'd never seen one do that.' When a whale 'spyhops', it positions itself parallel to the water level, with its head raised and tail down, in order to look around. The position is likened to a human treading water. Hawkins told the John O'Groats Journal that the sighting had been confirmed by two other videos, adding: 'It definitely is a beluga — it's even been verified by Hugh Harrop of Shetland Wildlife.' 'It's very strange as it shouldn't be here and we're worried it might be in trouble. Please keep an eye out – but if it is seen, please give it distance and peace, do not get close to it or chase it.' READ MORE: 'Milestone': Scottish town reconnected to rail services as new train station opens A Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust spokesperson said it was the first sighting of a beluga off the west coast in 20 years. According to the Sea Watch Foundation, a lone beluga was spotted off Applecross for consecutive days in April 1995. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said: 'We are aware of the sighting of the beluga whale in Loch Broom. 'We are monitoring the situation but until we get better photo ID we cannot say if it is the same one that turned up in Shetland last year. 'We would also appeal to people to stay away from the area as it could cause the animal unnecessary disturbance as well as congestion in the area.'
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
$500M supplement brand lands Target and Walmart in 2 years
In an industry crowded with powders, pills, and capsules, one startup decided to take a different route. Instead of packaging wellness in scoops or syringes, it turned it into something more playful - something sweet. Related: Nostalgic candy makes a major move customers begged for Its product doesn't require mixing or measuring. You don't need a shaker bottle, a full glass of water, or the tolerance for a chalky aftertaste. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter You just chew it. That simple concept - transforming daily supplements into gummy bears-has helped this brand skyrocket to a $500 million valuation in just two years. Grüns officially launched its products in August 2023. Now, less than two years later, it ships 4 million gummies a day and boasts annual recurring revenue in the nine-figure range. In April, the company confirmed a $35 million funding round led by Headline, following a report in The Information that pegged its valuation at half a billion dollars. Related: TikTok made this beloved beverage trendy, and supply can't keep up The green gummies - each serving packed with 60+ vitamins and minerals - sell for $59.99 to $65.99 for a 28-day supply. The company says its sweet, shareable format is key to why customers are sticking with it. Grüns now sells in over 5,000 retail locations, including major deals with Sprouts, Target, and, most recently, Walmart. It's also backed by a mix of traditional investors and celebrities, including Anna Kendrick and Shaun White, through its partnership with Plus Capital. The company's growth is drawing comparisons to other wellness hits like AG1 and Bloom Nutrition - but Grüns got to the shelves of national retailers faster than either of them. Founder and CEO Chad Janis, a former investor at Summit Partners, got the idea while pursuing his MBA at Stanford. Frustrated with the ritual of drinking supplement powders each morning, he wanted to find a form that people would actually enjoy -and remember to take. That idea turned into a year-long R&D sprint. His MBA classmates were the first guinea pigs, with over 25% of his class sampling prototypes before the official launch. Since then, the company has evolved its product five times based on direct customer feedback. Taste, Janis says, is the feature most customers rave about - something rarely said about other supplements. Grüns now has a variety of lines, including low-sugar, sugar-free, nootropics ("Nütrops"), and a kid-friendly version called "Grüns Cubs." The brand also just became the "official foundational nutrition partner" of Gotham FC, a pro women's soccer team. TV ads and further influencer campaigns are on the horizon. As the company scales, Janis believes Grüns still has enormous room to grow-especially among the 40%+ of American households that haven't yet tried general health or immunity supplements. "[Grüns] means a lot of different things to different people," he told Modern Retail. "One of the hardest parts is not siloing and ensuring we meet each of our consumers' needs." For now, Grüns is proving that smart branding, savvy influencer marketing, and customer-centric iteration can power massive results, even in a saturated category. If it can maintain its momentum, Grüns could be one of the rare supplement brands that not only wins shelf space, but holds it. With fresh capital, major retail partners, and growing cultural buzz, it's positioned to become a long-term player in the $50 billion U.S. supplement market. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
