Erika Lepczyk is an optimistic and inspired woman on a mission. She embraces a celebratory stance on life and enthusiastically applauds both her big and small wins. She is truly an inspiration to our team at a|dash and we cannot wait for you to hear about Erika, who influences her, advice she adheres to, her wellness routine, her entrepreneurial journey and more! Her product Memore is one of the most beautiful things we've had delivered to our front door in quite some time and it tastes just as delightful as it looks. Without further adieu, let's give a warm a|dash welcome to Erika!
Erika Lepczyk is the CEO and co-founder of Memore, Erika used her family history of dementia as motivation to launch Memore, a successful direct-to-consumer CPG business offering functional blends that conveniently fill gaps in consumers’ diets with whole food nutrition, which is shown to improve cognition, slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. She is determined to disrupt America’s treat-first healthcare model by educating the masses on the benefits of preventive health measures. Erika lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Brad, their two girls, Leighton (4) and Effie (2), and dog, Willis.
Who are some people who inspire you daily, personally or professionally?
There are SO MANY bad*** women that inspire me. Specifically, my sisters. They’re all go getters and over achievers that push and drive me to be the best version of myself. They’re dream chasers! My sister Taylor is so brilliant; she has created an amazing career path in CPG and is currently owning the Specialty channels for Bel Brands. My sister-in-law, Laura, went to school for PR, graduated and then felt called to be a doctor. She went through medical school and residency while her friends were building their career paths and now years later, is a successful anesthesiologist in Colorado. My sister-in-law, Ashley, worked for Google for 15+ years and now is a self-made entrepreneur and COO at Foundation Direct, a digital ad agency.
Katerina Schneider, CEO and founder of the vitamin maker Ritual is so inspiring to me. Like myself, she was looking for a product she felt comfortable putting into her body and couldn’t find something she trusted in the market, so she created one. I really relate to her and her story. I identify immensely with the mission and purpose of her company. Ritual is constantly adapting, innovating, and expanding- so inspiring.
If you could sit between any two women (dead or alive) on an international (long haul) flight, who would it be? Why?
Princess Diana and Julie Andrews simply because I love them both so much.
What is your favorite affirmation to share with women?
I have a daily mantra that helps me get through the rough and really appreciate the good. “This is a phase of life, this is not the forever”; so whether you’re in newborn fog and thinking you will never come out of it or if you’re riding a wave of success—to remind myself that this is a phase and it’s not forever-- to try to cherish the moments and/or carry on and push through because it won’t always be this way!
Is there anything that you wish/hope will be different for your girls growing up than it was for you?
Absolutely. Growing up, I felt like “everyone” had to like who I was… I would form shift at a young age to fit into the mold or “character” I anticipated the other party needed or wanted from me. I’m teaching my girls to always, always be kind, but it’s okay if you’re not accepted by everyone. Be yourself and give your best; to not seek acceptance but welcome it if it comes. Never stray from who you really are- people are naturally drawn to genuine people. I’d like to think I’m raising them that way! Also, that there is NO glass ceiling to their potential.
What has been your proudest moment personally or professionally?
What has been your most challenging moment personally or professional and how did you overcome that challenge?
Thankfully, I’ve had a good amount of challenging moments in my 35 years. I say thankfully, because I truly do believe all trials you’re put through are lessons to be learned from. I do reflect on each situation and pull out the lessons. Even if it’s as simple as “do not do that again...” ha-ha! I’ve learned that life throws you curve balls when you least expect, and you need to pivot and just figure it out. Creating options and opportunities through hardship and not accepting defeat or failure is how I roll. Creating lemonade out of lemons I guess you could say…
What does wellness mean to you? And why is it important to you and your family?
Wellness to me is a lifestyle. It means sustainability. It means something I can maintain consistently that also brings joy. Wellness is not a fad or a quick fix. Wellness to me takes education, time, planning, asking for help, seeking advice. It’s important to me to incorporate different types of wellness in my lifestyle through diet, activity, education, exploration and curiosity, socialization, and community. It’s important to me so I’m here long term for my family and friends. It’s a practice and a journey and I’m here for it! Obviously…
What does your typical daily wellness routine look like?
It varies; I’m a mom to two toddlers and expecting another, a full time E-commerce exec, and a CEO of a startup. Some days I win some, some days I don’t. An “ideal” wellness day would start by me waking up before the kids for some alone time. I’m big into journaling and try to start every morning with gratitude notes while sipping my morning a|dash coffee and my daily Memore-- Answer some emails, plan out my current day and coming days. I am usually stacked with meetings so I proactively time block my days to include some self-care i.e. workouts at Madabolic or a long 5-mile walk listening to a podcast or audible book. I end my workday around 6, make dinner and enjoy a family meal (this is a MUST in my daily wellness routine, uninterrupted family time). Post dinner we’ll do a family walk or soccer outside and then tend to the night routine to put the girls to bed. After 8 I pick up my laptop on the couch with Brad and tend to any cloudy thoughts or needs so I can sleep peacefully-- then clock out to go to bed around 9:30-10pm.
What drove you to become an entrepreneur? Do you see Memore as your only entrepreneurial endeavor or do you have plans/goals to be a serial entrepreneur?
This is so ironic to me. I’ve never aspired to be a CEO or a business owner; that’s more my husband’s dream. I’m a realist and my husband is the dreamer. I love security, stability and structure and being an entrepreneur, there’s not much of any! But what drove me to create this product really was the drive to educate nutrition for prevention. We aren’t a quick fix or miracle solution. We are nutrition for prevention - conveniently filling gaps in your diet with whole food nutrition, shown to improve cognition, slow cognitive decline, and reduce your risks of Alzheimer’s dementia. That’s a big undertaking but we’re committed and determined to see it through to the very end- if it leads us to other entrepreneurial paths or investments, I’d welcome those opportunities!
To learn more about or purchase Memore, please visit their website, Instagram, or Facebook. They're currently offering $20 off your first order with WELCOME20, so be sure take advantage of this amazing offer before it's too late!
Amazing article. So impressed and praying for the best. Congrats Erika and Brad!!
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