Kylee Collings, Chief Baller of ‘The Raw Baller’, gets raw with VIVRA
One of the best things about being two young women in the Australian start-up industry is that we get to meet other young women who are on the same journey as we are. It’s a rather unique experience and one that is not easily relatable or understood unless you are actually on the same path. Because we’re in the same boat we can swap tips, learnings and stories about challenges, solutions and business in general so that we can all improve our own businesses and support others in theirs.
This month we chat with the very lovely Kylee Collings, founder of ‘The Raw Baller’. While you may have seen protein balls before what’s unique about Kylee’s offerings is that they are made entirely by her – truly hand-made and home-made. That way you can be sure of the quality and care that each little parcel of joy contains. And on top of that, you can snack on them completely guilt free because they’re as healthy as they are delicious!
Why did you start your business?
‘The Raw Baller’ was born out of necessity in late 2016, a year after I had been diagnosed with three auto-immune conditions. I spent the 12 months after this diagnosis overhauling my diet and lifestyle in a bid to improve my health. It wasn't long after I kissed goodbye to Tim Tams that I began to fall in love with making raw cakes and balls. All my friends and colleagues started requesting that I make my famous ‘Brownie’ balls for them too and before long I had a side hustle. Today I stock my range of eight protein balls across 25 Brisbane locations and I have big plans to expand so we can nourish nationally this year.
What do you love the most about being in business and your business?
What I love the most about owning a business is the community which I have built over the two years I have been in business. I built up the courage to get out of my comfort zone and doing so has opened the door to meet some wonderful people who have been pivotal to my success. What I love about my business is the fact that I get to wake up every morning and know that what I create can improve the lives of others by nourishing them.
What tips would you give someone wanting to go into a similar business?
Don't be afraid to start. Even baby steps are steps in the right direction. Do your research and work out your point of difference.
What do you find has worked best for you to get your name out there?
I say yes to any collaboration or opportunity which feels right to me.
What’s your fave ball to make?
My favourite ball is still my OG - the ‘Raw Rasbperry Brownie Ball’. I have to make myself a batch every month because I'm so addicted!
What do you do to keep yourself motivated in times of self doubt?
I believe we all experience self doubt, especially as business owners when we face challenges we haven't encountered before. When I am experiencing self doubt what I find helps the most is taking time out to reflect on the situation. I allocate time to write a to-do list and break down what I am facing into actionable steps. Once I've done this I just focus on what I can control and get to work. If that doesn't help, I take time out and come back to it. Someone once gave me amazing advice, they said that I am who I am today because I've survived everything that life has thrown at me, and that if I choose to that I can survive what comes next.
What do you love about your VIVRA?
That I can go on adventures with my Puppy Honey and don't need anything but my VIVRA.
There you have it – some wonderful and insightful business tips from a wonderful and insightful business woman. Kylee has been generous enough to share one of her secret recipes with us, which you can find below. In the meantime, shop Kylee’s favourite style, the new VIVRA Lite ‘PB’!
Gut Nourishing Chocolate Bliss Balls
By Kylee - Creator of The Raw Baller
Instagram Handle: @therawballer
These chocolate bliss balls aren’t just good to curb those sugar cravings, they’re actually great for your gut health. Free from refined sugar and simple to make, the sneaky probiotics in them will support the immune system and nurture your tummy.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Makes 12 x 30g Balls.
Ingredients
50g Almond meal
50g L.S.A. meal
10 Medjool Dates
30g Raw Cacao Powder
40g desiccated coconut + 20g extra for rolling
1 tablespoon filtered water
1 tablespoon coconut oil
20g Nutra Organics “Join Bone Gut Health” Powder
4 good quality shelf stable probiotic capsules or 3 tsp or probiotic powder *
* TIP - Get these from a good health food shop. You want at least 50 billion CFU strength, multiple strains and one without artificial sweeteners, colours, preservatives, gluten, wheat, dairy or soy.
Method
1. Place the medjool dates in a heat proof bowl, boil the kettle and pour some hot water into the bowl until the dates are all submerged, leave for 10 minutes until they soften. Drain the water and once the ages have cooled removed the skin and pits.
2. Add dates, desiccated coconut, raw cacao and water into the bowl of a food processor and blend until combined.
3. Next, add the almond meal, Nutra Organics powder, L.S.A, coconut oil and probiotics and combine (remove probiotic powder from capsules if in capsule form)
4. Roll in desiccated coconut and place in glass container in a fridge for half an hour to set, then Enjoy.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Vegan Friendly.
