GOING PLACES WITH GONANAS FEATURING MORGAN LERNER
Last Tuesday, MCMP was joined by Morgan Lerner, co-founder of GoNanas, a women-owned, vegan, gluten-free, and top allergen-free banana bread company. A University of Michigan graduate herself, Morgan dove into the company’s origin story, telling how shared passions for love and food brought her and her dorm neighbor, Annie Slabotsky, together. Founding their business while balancing social and academic lives, Morgan and Annie dedicated their nights to recipe testing their first product, mini banana bread loaves. Beginning to sell in local cafes, the pair’s ‘healthified’ treat was an immediate hit.
Fast forward to 15 months ago, the COVID-19 pandemic represented a huge challenge for the graduates. Their sales network, dependent on coffee shops and cafes, was completely shut down. Determined not to let this hurdle derail their hard work and success, Morgan and Annie developed their latest product. Moving away from original pre-made loaves to develop mixes represented a massive change that did not come without growing pains. Entering the world of manufacturing, distribution, and retail takes time, trial and error, and energy, but the founders persisted and tackled challenges head-on.
GoNanas has grown immensely. The banana bread mix company has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, and Buzzfeed and is now sold at retailers including Nordstrom Rack and HomeGoods. However, Morgan attributes much of their growth to Instagram and the GoNanas “Fam” of ambassadors that have promoted and supported the company. Dedication to simple and wholesome ingredients and focus on female and community empowerment continue to characterize the company.
An Organizational Studies major, Lerner had only dreamed of working for GoNanas full-time, stating it had always been her “side-hustle.” However, when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to make that dream a reality. Sharing valuable advice with MCMP, Lerner encouraged members to pursue a variety of endeavors before settling on a career path. Citing her own experiences across industries, Lerner told members not to shy away from trying anything that they are passionate about or interested in. Real-world experiences gained from a variety of internships have been huge contributors to her success. Continuing GoNanas’ mission to provide delicious, simple treats to everyone, Morgan is looking forward to new endeavors and the company’s future growth.
October 5, 2021 by Nina Fazio