Transformative Journey of Natalie Richards

Natalie Richards, a 32-year-old former truck driver from New Zealand, has embarked on a remarkable journey by launching a healthy ready-made meal service. After working 70-hour weeks, she decided to turn her passion for nutrition into a business, founding Prep – Plant Based Meals.

Weight Loss Success

By consuming her own plant-based meals for eight weeks, Ms. Richards achieved an impressive weight loss of 10kg. Her commitment to health and fitness, combined with her delectable meal offerings, has positioned her as a living advertisement for her emerging business.

Inspiration and Business Launch

Ms. Richards’ journey into the meal prep industry began unexpectedly at a yoga studio. After sharing a photo of her meal preparations with an instructor, she was encouraged to create meal packages for others. This sparked her desire to pursue her passion more seriously.

From Trucking to Meal Prep

Balancing a demanding trucking career and a healthy lifestyle, Ms. Richards often prepped her meals while on the road. Upon realizing her true passion, she founded Prep and actively engaged with clients through social media platforms, which helped her grow her customer base rapidly.

Business Growth

With guidance from a business coach, Ms. Richards developed a website and quickly became overwhelmed with orders, ultimately leading her to leave her truck driving job. The turning point in her business came when she started eating her own meals, which contributed significantly to her weight loss and fitness journey.

Award Recognition

In just one year, Prep has tripled its output, garnered several awards, including the People’s Choice Award for Best Start-Up in the Network New Zealand Business Awards, and has attracted attention from health trainers and fitness enthusiasts.

Future Aspirations

Ms. Richards is now targeting expansion into the Australian market within the next three years, envisioning broader reach and impact for her healthy meal prep service.