The Last Month of Our Chocolate Quinoa Crisp Journey

Hello from the Skye Performance Team,

When we first opened the door of that commercial kitchen in mid-April, the air was rich with the scent of dark chocolate melting into crisped quinoa. Every batch felt like proof that our vision for a performance snack could be real. As we shifted from our initial setup to seeking out a manufacturing partner, the excitement was met head-on with the realities of scaling a product built on precision.

Taste has always been our north star, and preserving that bold chocolate hit alongside a perfect quinoa crunch became our first test. We trusted formulation experts to help us scale, but quickly saw our blend drifting toward the ordinary. Instead of pausing negotiations, we’re pushing our partner to honor the character of our original recipe and refine it until it matches what we created in our own kitchen. Protecting what makes these crisps special guides every decision we make.

Finding a manufacturer who shares our commitment has been its own marathon. After conversations with more than twenty factories, the introductions from our formulation ally and referrals from seasoned CPG founders have proven most valuable. Transparency and shared experience matter when each step can add or subtract integrity. We’re designing partnerships that can handle modest runs in the tens of thousands and grow toward producing millions of units each year.

Perhaps the most pointed advice we’ve absorbed concerns the margins. Seasoned industry leaders insist that locking in at least forty percent wholesale and seventy percent direct-to-consumer from day one isn’t optional. At this scale, premium raw ingredients and specialized production add up quickly. We’re integrating these lessons into our financial plans to ensure each unit we ship makes sense for the long term.

As we move into the next chapter of production trials and partner meetings, our focus remains on creating a snack that fuels athletes without compromise. Thank you for joining us on this journey. We’ll keep you posted as these crisps evolve from our kitchen bench to your hands.

Onward,
Ciaran & the Skye Performance Team