Interview with our Founder | Emma Pumfrey

Get to know the face and the mind behind UHEALTH CO, a short interview took place with our founder Emma so you can get all the juicy details on what has gone into the company so far, the inspiration behind it and some sneaky future plans!

Can you tell us about your background in the health industry?

So, to keep it short I have been a Naturopath and Nutritionist for over 6 years so far seeing clients 1:1 in private practice, this was after about 5 years of study and then an additional year during this time for my postgraduate degree. In 2024 I also started working as a Clinical Supervisor supporting student nutritionists in the final year of their degree, trying to pass on some of the clinical gems I've learnt along the way. 

What inspired you to start a supplement company?

Frustration! It was truly just a moment in clinic where I was so annoyed at how many different products it was taking to hit the 3 simple goals i had for my client, which has been a reoccurring issue I had face. Wanting to hit the important nutritional baselines alongside some herbal help without someone needing to take 7 different tablets across the day. I thought, "surely this can all be fit into the same 1 product in a powdered formulation", I assumed it couldn't but one day reached out to a manufacturing company in Brisbane - and well turns out you can and now here we are! 

What specific gap or need in the market are you aiming to address with your supplements?

Simplicity and ease, I wanted one per day dosing in a quick to drink formulation that hit as many angles as possible for it's consumer without having to store a health food shop in your kitchen cupboard. 

It's also notable the lack of good quality, activated and well formulated supplements that are so easy to grab off chemist shelves; I wanted to make some easy to buy, easy to access and affordable for everyone to meet their health goals; even if they can't afford to see a health practitioner at this point in their life they still deserve to feel good. 

Who is your target audience for these supplements, and how did you identify this demographic?

It's a wide angle, because who doesn't feel tired, stressed or struggle to sleep some days? Our demographic ranges from the new mum who's depleted from pregnancy, the business owner who is stressed and constantly working late, or the tradie who wakes up at 4am every day for work relying on energy drinks and coffee. 

Everyone can benefit from improved stress resilience, increased energy, and deeper sleep overnight. 

What measures have you taken to ensure your supplements meet safety standards and regulations?

Our products are TGA listed meaning they have been assessed for safety and all the claims regarding them have been assessed and approved; this is why you'll see an AUST L number on our labels. 

Supplements being listed is a huge passion of mine, with so many on the market being sold as 'foods' without listing how much of each ingredient can even be found in the product! Transparency is key for correct dosing and as a company we had to embody this.

Are there any lessons you've learned that you would share with others interested in entering the supplement market?

Gosh, patience! We started this journey in 2023 and thought for sure it would be a few months to have this out and on the market! Almost 9 months later here we are only just launching in July 2024 with so many delays already encountered - and more to come in the future I'm sure! We've had to learn to roll with it at this stage.

What are your future plans for expanding your supplement line or introducing new products?

So so many plans! I have a master document for UHEALTH CO and right now we have about 11 future blends drawn up and ready to produce, but naturally this will all depend on the funds and how each product performs over time! 

What do you hope to achieve in the long term with your products and brand?

I hope to support the general population in just feeling better; as a mum of two i've been in the depths of sleep deprivation (and still am!) and I've seen in clinic how incredibly people respond to the right herbs and nutrients when combined correctly - so having this available to everyone is my goal; because everyone deserve to feel themselves, as their best selves.