Leaders

Driven by impact and the belief that “food should be our medicine”, Augusta DeLisi used herexperience as a personal trainer, and health & fitness coach along with her own personalchallengesdealing with autoimmune issues, to create food products to sustain her own health. Shediscovered the wondrous benefits of camel milk when she moved to the United Arab Emiratescapital city of Abu Dhabi in 2013 and quickly discovered why camels hold a unique significancein the local culture. This traditional superfood sustained nomadic life for thousands of years.

Bedouin and nomadic cultures survived harsh desert climates often on camel milk alone.With this, Augusta created Nomadic Nutrition, a UAE-based health foods company, andlaunchedher first functional protein snack product, “Bedouin Bites” – made with camel milk. Thissocially conscious entrepreneur is a pioneer in the cruelty-free camel milk movement. Augustaspoke about her inspiring journey in an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur magazine.

What Motivated You Into Creating A Company Making Snacks Using The Superfood Camel Milk?

Camel Milk is rich in potent immunoglobulins, powerful immune-boosting substances,similar tothe ones found in Mother’s Milk. This unique feature is used to strengthen futureresponses tofood, which alleviates the symptoms of food and dairy allergies and protectsthe body fromviruses, bacteria, and harmful pathogens. Camel milk has anti-inflammatory,strong protectiveproteins, antimicrobial and nutritious value and works well for lactose intolerance.

When I discovered the wondrous health benefits of camel milk for diabetes, lactoseintolerance,auto immunity, and beyond I knew it was something I wanted to share with theworld, especiallyafter my own health drastically improved after drinking camel milk daily.Yet I found myselfasking, would it be possible to find a model for a humane relationship between humans, animals,and the environment in a way that no one is exploited?That was when I set out to the most ethically sourced camel milk in the world to createenvironmentally friendly, immunity-boosting health products. A significant milestone in myprofessional journey was when we finalized our partnership with Camel Charisma, a socialenterprise founded by Hanwant Singh Rathore and Dr. Ilse Köhler-Rollefson who have beenworking to support a camel herding caste in Rajasthan, India for more than a quarter of acentury.

This partnership made our vision of sourcing the most ethically sourced camel milk on the planeta reality. we found a group that loves camels and values animal welfare as much as we do.Currently, the Raika are struggling to make a living off their traditional pastoral way of life, andboth their culture and their camels are at risk of becoming extinct. Through pastoralism, there isan opportunity for creating a more animal-friendly and sustainable system. The purchase ofour products generates income for the Raika and helps to generate economic opportunity. TheseNomadic herders have developed a sustainable and efficient use of resources in which there is a unique + mutually harmonious relationship between the Raika people, their camels, and theearth. “Supporting decentralized camel farming through innovative models is a great opportunityto reduce poverty and to provide food security in some of the poorest parts of the world,”according to Dr. Ilse Köhler- Rollefson, a Business Partner at Camel Charisma. This relationshipprovides an opportunity for Nomadic Nutrition to carve out a more animal-friendly, environment-friendly, sustainable niche.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At Nomadicnutrition? What Are Some Of The Most Challenging Aspects Of Your Role As The Founder &Ceo? How Do You Overcome Them?

I am the founder and CEO of the company, but also ahead of product development,production,and all aspects needed in bringing a company to life. The entrepreneurial journey has been arollercoaster of emotions and new skill sets, but the most challenging component has beenlearning how to navigate the manufacturing and production space as a first-time CPGentrepreneur. Bringing a food product to market is entirely new to me!

The co-packing +manufacturing process has been a massive learning experience as well as understanding theprocess of imports and exports. We’d love to team up with a group that is willing to work with a start-up and show us the ropes. We are still looking for a Manufacturer/ Co-packer that can helpus produce our snack bites and products and scale our production capacity.  We are creating a newcategory instead of trying to compete. At times it has been an overwhelming and daunting task.The most essential thing is to keep moving forward, pivot as necessary, and have faith thateverything will come together.

How Have Your Past Experiences Helped You In Your Current Role?

When it comes to product development, my secret weapon is that I understand health andwellness, and the nutrients that the body needs. It is shocking to see the number ofproducts thatare targeted toward “health-conscious” consumers, yet still loaded with ingredients harmful toour health. Protein and nutrition products are loaded with artificial sweeteners, whey protein,and sugar alcohols. Many dairy-based products made from whey or protein isolate can cause extremestomach discomfort, acne, and inflammation. Some protein bars have more than 30 grams ofsugar and more calories than a candy bar.

My background as a personal trainer and health coach, helped me understand what ingredientsenergize the body, and guide the product development process accordingly. I refused to cutcorners or go to market with ingredients that I would not put in my own body.My background in animal welfare ensured consciousness that our ingredients were ethicallysourced. I ran two non-profit organizations rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for shelterdogs in need. Entering the “dairy industry” space fuelled my desire to disrupt the category and toshow that a cruelty-free way does exist. My business decisions are driven by a moral compass,and anything that does not align with my personal values is avoided.

What Are Some Of The Unique Features Of Nomadic Nutrition That Set It Apart From Itscontemporaries In The Market?

Cow’s milk is hurting our bodies and the planet! 65% of the population has a reduced ability todigest lactose. Camel milk does not contain the 2 proteins found in cow’s milk responsible forallergic reactions, so it’s safe for lactose intolerance. We are the first company to createinnovative camel milk products that target health-conscious consumers as well as those focusedon enhanced sports performance. Our Bedouin Bites are Keto; Gluten Free; Paleo; have no sugaradded; are high in protein; are safe for lactose sensitivities and are a delicious travel-friendly snack. Add tothat our partners, the Raika, treat their animals with reverence as members of the family. Free-roaming camels are kept in a nomadic system and feed off a large diversity of over 25 medicinal ayurvedic plants and never separate the mothers and their young. We are disrupting theconventional dairy sector by showing that animals do not have to be treated as units ofproduction and machines. We are trying to set a new standard in animal welfare. What we eatmatters. Where it comes from matters. The ethical treatment of each living being in theproduction process matters.

As A Successful Entrepreneur, What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Whoaspire To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

Never lose sight of your dream. The pursuit of happiness takes consistent effort. Remember whyyou started! You must stay connected to your WHY and the purpose of why you want to create abusiness or else you can get swallowed up in all the noise. Burnout is real. For me, it is so muchmore than just creating a food product. Camel milk helped transform my health which allowedme to experience the world in a whole new dimension. My mission is now to help other peopleon their own health journey, and I believe I have been assigned the task of sharing the benefits ofcamel milk with the world. It sounds silly, but you need to think this way. Otherwise, it gets reallytough to stay on track when the going gets tough. When you make it about service and helpingpeople, it makes it all worthwhile. When you believe in something so deeply you will find a wayor make it away.

In order to build a better business, you must take care of yourself mentally, spiritually, andphysically in order to ride out the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being anentrepreneur.Exercise, strong faith, discipline, and a strong support system make even the toughest days as anentrepreneur a little less bad. I always loved the saying “Passion derived from a Latin wordmeaning to suffer. Which means that if you genuinely lovesomething, you suffer for it.” Stay oncourse. Eventually, everything will connect.

Augusta Delisi, Founder

Augusta is a certified personal trainer, and health and wellness coach. Her mission is to create functional health products made with camel milk that is better for your body, animalwelfare,and the world. Her vision is to create economic opportunity for pastoral and nomadic populationswhose livelihoods depend on camels while inspiring a more animal-friendly production processthat disrupts the obesity and health epidemic by looking at “Food as Medicine”. NomadicNutrition is committed to fuelling modern nomads on the journey to good health. Previously,Augusta founded Augie’s Doggies Rescue in the USA and Abu Doggies (UAE) saving over 200 dogsin need. Since starting her first non-profit at the age of 12, she has received numerous regional,national, and international recognitions including the 2015 Unite:4Humanity Award (presented ata red-carpet ceremony in Beverly Hills, CA); was a finalist in the Ultimate Role Model categoryin the 2015 Fabulous Female Awards hosted by Cosmo Middle East; featured in Gulf News;Time Out Abu Dhabi; the cover article in Scholastic Action Magazine and promoted in countlessbooks, broadcasts and web-based recognition and honours for her humanitarian efforts.