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ABOUT US

OUR MISSION

Fuel your body with ingredients you can trust.

To empower people to fuel their bodies with clean, wholesome ingredients that nourish the body, energize the mind, and support lasting wellness.

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WHAT DOES "OLAKINO" MEAN?

The name “Olakino” is inspired by the Hawaiian language: "Ola" means health or well-being, and "Kino" means body. Together, “Olakino” represents the harmony of health and well-being for your body.

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MEET THE FOUNDER

 

Aloha! My name is Jess Howes, and I’m the owner and founder of Olakino Shakes!

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MY BACKGROUND

As a former Division 1 college hockey player, I spent years focused on athletic performance but didn’t pay much attention to nutrition. It wasn’t until after college that I began to understand how much our diet impacts our health and well-being.

 

Looking back, after years of getting sick, having little energy, and struggling with weight, I wish I had known then what I know now about the importance of clean, nourishing food. 

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THE STORY BEHIND OLAKINO SHAKES CONTINUED

As my passion for health and nutrition grew, I wanted to help others but wasn’t sure how, until I realized how hard it is to find quick, healthy food. I’ve loved making smoothies since college, so I combined that with my wellness focus to create Olakino Shakes. My roots are in Minnesota, and my inspiration comes from the vibrant, healthy lifestyle of Hawaii.

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MINNESOTA

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HAWAII

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THE STORY CONTINUED...

One of the most eye-opening things I’ve learned is how under-regulated the U.S. food industry is compared to places like Europe. Many American foods are ultra-processed and contain harmful ingredients like pesticides, GMOs, artificial dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5), carrageenan, and sweeteners like aspartame.

  • 73% of the U.S. food supply is ultra-processed, which is linked to a higher risk of developing various health issues (Northeastern University).

  • 60% of foods Americans buy contain additives for flavor, texture, or shelf life (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).

  • Food dyes, such as Red 40, are linked to attention disorders in kids and a higher cancer risk (BMC Environmental Health).

 

By paying attention to how food makes me feel and staying informed, I’ve learned how important it is to avoid processed foods. That’s why Olakino Shakes is all about fueling your body with ingredients you can trust. We serve simple, clean, whole foods with no label-stress required.

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