Charlie Wood and Dan Concannon are two Melbourne mates who are on a mission to take the sweat out of staying hydrated.  Their  range  of  Vitadrop powders, which are designed to dissolve in water, are formulated to enhance mental performance, boost energy and even support a good night’s sleep. Far from magic potions though, the boys are quick to point out that each sachet is science-backed, and, thanks to a legion of health-conscious Aussie fans, they’re now selling across the country like (healthy) hot cakes.

How did you start your home grown business?

CHARLIE: I have a background in medical science and Dan is a brilliant photographer who used to play rugby at a really high level. We both grew up in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs and have known each other for ages. Before the pandemic, we started chatting about how we could collaborate around our mutual passion for health and wellness. We saw there was a gap in the market for an Aussie owned and locally manufactured player in the supplements and hydration space so we got to work on designing our range of Vitadrop products. We’re both young at heart, (sadly, not as young on paper as we once were) and with Vitadrop, we really set out to target a younger demographic. Those people who care about health but don’t want to spend their whole lives worrying about it.

What inspires you?

DAN: When I was playing sport at an elite level, everything for me used to come down to performance. I was inspired by anything and anyone who could help me maximise my own potential in, virtually, every way possible. That all changed when I got really sick and was diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune condition called ulcerative colitis. It really threw me around, but I also knew I didn’t want to throw in the towel completely when it came to my health! So, I think I’m inspired by people who live their lives and deal with whatever life throws at them, but still try to be the best version of themselves along the way. Let’s face it, some days we’re going to have a better shot at peak performance – or even mediocre performance – than others! But that shouldn’t stop us putting our best foot forward. Charlie and I love people who realise that when you feel good, you also do good.

What are the benefits of manufacturing locally?

CHARLIE: The biggest benefit of manufacturing in Australia is being able to get our products to market – and into the hands of customers – quicker than many of our competitors. It’s also fantastic to be able to actually get into the lab with our manufacturers and work hand-in-hand with them. There’s nothing quite like touching, tasting and smelling a new product – that’s where the magic happens! As a business owner, there’s a huge amount of peace of mind that comes with having local manufacturers which allows us to spend much more of our time focusing on the stuff that really matters – our products and our customers – rather than dealing with logistics and red tape.

What makes the Australian consumer unique?

DAN: I think, in general terms, there’s a lot more that unites us than divides us as Aussies. We’re proud people and we like supporting local brands. I think Aussies also have a competitive streak about them that crosses over into all aspects of our lives. So when it comes to our health we do try to look after ourselves. The other side of the coin is we’re a nation of light hearted larrikins. And, it’s that mix of competitiveness and comedy that makes the Aussie consumer really fun to create products for.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

CHARLIE: I know it might sound a bit crass, but, the best advice we’ve ever received is “don’t work with flogs!” In other words, we always aim to focus on our own business, and choose others who we do business with, around common values. We value hard work, honesty and humour. At the end of the day, I think we’ve developed pretty good instincts about spotting those same values in others.