St. Petersburg, FL (June 29, 2006)  -- A new supplement company is literally turning the notion of corporate charitable giving on its head. Or more specifically, on its lid. Ribbon Nutrition has recently begun rolling out its line of premium dietary supplements in health food stores. And you can’t miss them—their bottles are displayed upside-down.

Ribbon Nutrition, named after the universally recognized breast cancer awareness pink ribbon, has launched a line of 40 dietary supplement products, including Fish Oil, Earth Energy Multi-Vitamin, Pre-Natal Plus DHA, and Core Antioxidant. The company is donating up to 10% of total company revenues to their non-profit partners in the fight against breast cancer, which now strikes more women in the world than any other type of cancer. This year, an estimated 1,150,000 women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 411,000 women will die from the disease. It is now the leading cause of death among US women aged 20 to 59.

Supplement users want information on maintaining good health, and supplement companies are often excellent information resources, but Ribbon Nutrition is taking that to a new level with the launch of a non-profit sister company focused on publishing, Pink Penguin Press. 

Pink Penguin Press (PPP) is Ribbon’s affiliated industry-focused non-profit publishing house and educational resource. PPP’s mission is to educate consumers about the importance of lifestyle factors in disease prevention, particularly breast cancer. The message is in harmony with the mission of the natural products industry and positioned to be the natural product industry’s voice for the prevention of breast cancer. The first issue of In Pink magazine, on track to preview this summer, will be filled with educational and entertaining articles on lifestyle, natural and organic products, diet and nutrition, nutritional research, and inspirational stories. In Pink’s mission is to be the natural product industry’s voice for the prevention of breast cancer.

Created to provide funding for Pink Penguin Press and other alternative-minded breast cancer non-profits, Ribbon Nutrition clearly leads with its mission. Each company principal and investor has had personal experience with breast cancer and is committed to making a tangible difference.  “We see ourselves more as missionaries than salespeople,” says said company co-founder and long-time industry marketer Stephen Hennessy.  “Our mission is to help end breast cancer and we are dedicated to finding like-minded retailers and shoppers who want to make a difference in their lives and the world we live in.  Fortunately, there are a lot of great people who care.” 

While Ribbon Nutrition’s products are of the highest quality and efficacy, what truly distinguishes and differentiates the company is their charitable giving. Ribbon’s products are stickered on top with the Million Dollar Flip logo. When monies donated reach this milestone, the company will – with great fanfare – flip the bottles over.  “We wanted it to be clear through our donation program that we are first and foremost a mission-driven company,” says co-founder Jim Powers. 

This is where the non-profit partners really lend a hand. While donations from Ribbon Nutrition help fuel the non-profits, the non-profits help spread the message of holistic health to the masses. Organizations such as Women Beyond Cancer (www.womenbeyondcancer.org), BreastCancer.org, Life Saving Email, and local organizations make it their mission to have a major impact on breast cancer.  “We specifically chose to work with these organizations because, like us, they believe that the end to breast cancer lies in prevention, in the lifestyle choices we make every day,” says Stephen. Women Beyond Cancer co-founder Lola Bogue says “We thank Ribbon Nutrition for publicizing the importance of addressing women’s health issues in a holistic way.”

Ribbon Nutrition also makes it easy for consumers to make a difference—be it simply by purchasing Ribbon Nutrition products or by arming them with the knowledge to make significant changes in their lives.  “As a part of our mission to help bring an end to breast cancer, we talk a lot about how that is truly possible.  Prevention is the key and by making better lifestyle choices, whether it’s concerning your diet or the cleaners you use in your home or the deodorant you roll-on every morning, you can make a difference in your health and your family’s health,” says Stephen. “Self-education and self-empowerment are at the heart of our efforts. We’re not here to tell people what to think or what choices to make, we just want to help provide access to the information individuals need to make their own informed, healthy decisions,” adds Jim.  

Ribbon Nutrition specifically chose to launch their mission within the natural products industry based on a strong belief in the virtues of the natural products store and the people that work within them.  “One of my goals within the company is to tell the world how much natural food stores have to offer towards a healthy lifestyle and a clean planet.  The food tastes better and is far better for you, the personal care products work great without all the chemicals, the household cleaners actually clean your house without sickening fumes and toxic chemicals, and the supplements help you feel healthy and energetic every day. The people that work in natural food stores are so passionate about the lifestyle—it’s fantastic. Now I think it’s time more people know about all the great things we have to offer,” Stephen adds.

Ribbon Nutrition is already an example of the power individuals have to make significant change happen. And they are literally just getting started.  For more information please visit www.RibbonNutrition.com.

About the Founders
Stephen Hennessy (co-founder) is an accomplished and innovative marketer whose recent credits include a citywide health and wellness program in Atlanta that attracted attention from The New York Times, The Today Show, The Food Network, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution.  His experience in the natural products industry started in the Natural Products Industry as a college student in 1994 at Strawberry Fields Natural Foods store in Urbana, Illinois. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois, he went out west to work for Wild Oats Markets and ran one of the chain’s most profitable supplement and personal care departments.  Stephen became the first National Sales Manager for Vitality Works in 1998 and then went on to work as a direct manufacturer’s representative and regional manager for MegaFood. In 2002, he founded Limelight Consulting, a natural products sales and marketing organization in the Southeast, representing companies such as Garden of Life and Aubrey Organics. Stephen joined with Jim Powers to start Ribbon Nutrition in 2005. 

Jim Powers (co-founder) is a passionate and inspiring marketing specialist with experience in all corners of the natural food industry.  In 1991 Jim began working with Dr. Vogel at Bioforce of America. In 1994 Jim co-founded South Atlantic Marketing, a sales and marketing organization. Jim founded Dolphin Publishing, a unique newsletter to educate health food store consumers, in 1996.  For the next five years, Jim worked with over 25 natural product companies as a marketing consultant creating and implementating impactful marketing plans.  In 2000, Jim co-founded Pure Solutions, a successful manufacturer of specialty supplements. Jim teamed with Stephen Hennessy in 2005 to launch Ribbon Nutrition, what he feels is the project of a lifetime.

Suzanne Shelton
847-676-4337
Suzanne@SheltonGroupPR.com