Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Rossano.
Hi Mariana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in the Healthy Food Delivery Sector. My compilation of health knowledge began in the personal fitness industry, and from there, I was approached to be a consultant at the famed Zone Gourmet in New York during its infancy stage. After assisting with the organization’s rapid growth and overwhelming success in NYC, I was offered the position to open and head Zone Gourmet in Los Angeles in 2000 as the region’s Chief Operating Officer. We then pioneered the development of a program for rapid weight loss at Hemma Foods (called Atkins at Home) and helped structure the world’s first MAP (Modified Atmosphere Processing) nationwide delivery program called Zone Nation. Both innovative programs were an extension of Zone Gourmet.
As Chief Operations Officer of Zone Gourmet, I oversaw and maintained all facets of business operations including managing the facilities staff of 130 employees. This included sales, customer service, quality control, menu and food preparation, deliveries, marketing, and public relations. During my six-year tenure with Zone Gourmet, we established a customer base well into the thousands. We expeditiously learned and mastered the nutritional requirements of the programs to assure customer satisfaction and retention.
After leaving Zone Gourmet, I went on to create Fresh Dining as Co-Founder and President. Fresh Dining was a concept similar to Zone Gourmet, yet the vision was to create the business with a more distinct focus on the food. While at Fresh Dining, I created recipes and menus from my experience at Zone Gourmet, which is knowing what clients love to eat and how to make them healthy. I brought Fresh Dining not only invaluable experience, but a team of knowledgeable staff and a huge following of loyal clientele.
My marketing and networking efforts include working closely with physicians, dieticians, nutritionists, athletes, agents, entertainers, and personal trainers, to name a few. I maintain solid ongoing relationships with these contacts, and they continue to contribute to the company’s ongoing success.
In 2010, I opened Z.E.N. Foods. Z.E.N.stands for “Zero Effort Nutrition,” was a high-end meal delivery service that caters to the individual’s needs and delivers to residents in Southern California For the past 14 years, we have had many happy clients.
This year, the plan is to create a new subscription model and go nationwide. Z.E.N. will be partnering with some wonderful healing clinics and offer meals that reduce inflammation and keep the body balanced and healthy. We also have a product line that will be offered later in the year.
My employees are the secret to Z.E.N. Foods’ success. Most of the staff have been with me since the Zone Gourmet.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a challenging road for us, just as many small businesses. We’ve struggled mostly with increasing brand awareness among our niche audience. But we recently started working with a successful marketing group called Prince Marketing. With their help, Z.E.N. plans to have its most successful year yet!
It has also been difficult to find employees. It’s pretty normal for a food business to have a high staff turnover rate. While Z.E.N. continues to retain many competent and skilled staff, it has been challenging to fill the open positions since COVID.
The rising costs of food and gas have not helped, but my chefs are great with keeping our budget in line on food costs and still create innovative, delicious meals.
As you know, we’re big fans of Z.E.N. Foods – Zero Effort Nutrition. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We believe strongly in “Food as Medicine.” Offering fresh food delivered daily to your home in Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara, Z.E.N. Foods provides delicious, calorie-controlled, healthy meal programs that are tailored not only to dieters but also to nutrition-conscious individuals. With in-house nutritionists, whether you want to lose weight, gain lean muscle, or just eat healthy, Z.E.N. Foods can customize a plan and create a menu just for you.
Z.E.N. stands for “Zero Effort Nutrition” and offers Weight Loss, Healthy Lifestyle, Vegetarian meal delivery programs, and an amazing cold-pressed juice line and juice cleanses. Meals from all programs are crafted to appeal to a wide range of palates, nutritional needs, and dietary restrictions. All meals are prepared fresh and delivered to your door each day in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs – all you need to do is heat it up. No more shopping, cooking, and cleaning – eating clean and healthy has never been this easy!
The most important thing that sets us apart is the quality and flavors. We believe we are the best in our category, and the many 5-star reviews prove our clients feel the same.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Well, I’d have to say that luck has been in our favor when it comes to the staff we are blessed to have. I’ve had some tough situations with taking on a partner in Fresh Dining. With Z.E.N., there are no partners, and it has been a much better experience all the way around.
This year, we have been offered so many great opportunities. I would say if only one or two come into fruition, our luck will be at an all-time high.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zenfoods.com
- Instagram: @zenfoods
- Facebook: @zenfoodsla
- Youtube: @zenfoods
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/z-e-n-foods-sun-valley
Images by Tom Hunter Photography.
