Tommy Jackson has always had a passion for health and wellness. He has been able to put his passion to work as the CEO and Director of Research and Development for Premier Brand Sciences, Inc., a Charlotte, North Carolina based company that specializes in the research and development of health and wellness beverage brands backed by science.
The Premier Brand Sciences team has spent many years researching nutrition and studying how nutritional deficiencies can adversely affect the body. They use this data to formulate cutting edge nutritional beverage formulas that provide solutions to the ever growing health needs of consumers in the beverage and health & wellness industries.
All of their nutritional beverage formulas are thoroughly researched and tested for safety, shelf life, solubility, ingredient interactions, flavoring and masking, storage changes, formula and label preparation, as well as commercial production. Additionally, they use a cutting edge hot fill beverage technology that prevents fungus and microbes from developing in bottles and it also serves as a secondary function to preserve the products’ taste and nutritional properties. Their Beverage Brands follow strict principles and promise to include the following: eco-friendly packaging, clinically researched nutrients, great tasting natural flavors, naturally sweetened, 0 to low sugar and calories, micronutrient rich minerals, customized antioxidant rich formulas, gluten free ingredients, and non GMO ingredients.
Tommy is excited to be leading this talented team of scientists, wellness professionals and market research experts. Additionally, he is proud to be working with their clinical research partner Debur Research Foundation, a world leader in clinical research data. Along with this exciting work, he is also excited to announce that Premier Brand Sciences, Inc. will be partnering up with Rowland Hanson in a joint venture to launch a brand new fitness and wellness water called ECOFIT H20 in the summer of 2021. Rowland Hanson who most consider to be a marketing and branding genius was hired by Bill Gates in the early days of Microsoft where he served as President of Corporate communications. While there, Rowland created and executed the branding strategy of Microsoft Windows, the most popular Microsoft product, in which Rowland personally named. Everyone at Premier Brand Sciences, Inc. is thrilled to be partnering with Rowland, he is truly a marketing legend who understands the market positioning of new brands. Tommy considers Rowland to be one of his mentors and believes with his marketing and branding leadership, this joint venture has unlimited potential.
Tommy Jackson is devoted to the health and wellness industry and to bringing beverages to consumers that will benefit from their high-quality ingredients. With these exciting new ventures ahead of him, he has the opportunity to bring a unique and disruptive new product that will have a huge impact in the beverage market space.
How did you get started in this business?
I’ve always had a passion for health and wellness, and I have been very fortunate to study and intern under some of the best holistic doctors, nutritional researchers and scientists over the years. I have gained valuable knowledge under these wellness mentors, knowledge that I would soon apply to my career as a wellness professional. One of the most important things that I have learned as a wellness professional is that we have one life and one body, so we should do everything in our power to take care of our bodies. We are not able to live to our full potential when our health is compromised, especially when we fail to put forth the effort into taking care of ourselves properly. Understanding how the body works is truly important. Knowing the role that nutrients play in restoring balance in the body is equally important. Finally, understanding that the true essence of good health comes from a collaborative effort of proper nutrition, exercise and rest, can really determine the quality of life that we choose to live. These health principles are a driving force and play a key role in the work that we will do at Premier Brand Sciences.
How do you make money?
Similar to any other company that sells a product, we make a profit from the sale of our beverages. Though I would like to emphasize that our main focus when we create a product is not “how much money can we make?” but “how much good can this do?” We set out to create beverages that have high quality ingredients with benefits, those that offer a heathier solution. We look at the money we make as a means to sustain our company so that we can continue the research and development of new products that can continue to offer these types of benefits for our consumers. Companies like this really do exist and honestly, when you work for one, you look forward to the work you do each day.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
Premier Brand Sciences, Inc. is set to officially launch May 2021. So, we haven’t had enough time to know the answer to this question yet.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
I’ve had doubts with other career ventures in my life, but not this one. I feel very grateful to be a part of the Premier Brand Sciences team. When there were times that I have faced doubt, I would say that I handle those times by looking at the data. Do I have all of the facts? Or am I basing my doubt on incomplete information? Once I have gathered all of my information, data, facts, and thoughts on that particular situation, I try to look at it rationally and decide where the doubt is coming from and then what the best decision to make from there would be.
How did you get your first customer?
Networking. In this industry, networking is very important.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Generating a buzz, getting your product name out there on social media especially is going to help tremendously. I would say that is becoming a gold standard these days. Social media is a must for any business.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
These past few months have been the time when we have made some of the toughest decisions about some of our product development. They may seem like small decisions, “is this the right label, what font do we use?” But those decisions can have a large impact on sales, so they feel like very big decisions.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I work very hard. I have always been a hard worker, even as a child. When I have work to do, I cannot rest until it is done. I enjoy working hard though, I achieve an enormous sense of accomplishment from tackling my tasks.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Seeing this finished product come together. When you work hard on something and see it through from research and development to production, that is incredibly satisfying.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I am very excited about ECOFIT H20. ECOFIT H20 is a first to market beverage concept that combines healthy hydrating nutrients with wellness nutrition that supports overall health. ECOFIT H20 contains 0 sugar, 0 calories and 0 artificial sweeteners and flavors. It comes in an eco-friendly PET and BPA free bottle. ECOFIT H20 also contains clinically proven nutrients that support: Immune system health, Healthy aging by reducing systemic inflammation, Heart Health and Mental stress management. It comes in 5 delicious natural flavors, Tropical berry, watermelon lemonade, kiwi strawberry, peach citrus and black berry/pina colada. ECOFIT H20 is one of the very few functional beverages that will launch in the marketplace with clinical data to support our health claims. We have hopes for this brand and we eventually plan to exit with the right offer.
What business books have inspired you?
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and The Classic Napoleon Hill Masterpiece THINK AND GROW RICH.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to remember that “the world is bigger than you think it is and your worries aren’t as important as you think they are, just be you”.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
I am pretty busy these days so not at this time, but maybe in the future.