Loren Brill started Sweet Loren’s after overcoming Hodgkin’s lyphoma at the age of 22. She started studying nutrition and took cooking classes, and soon cut out all highly refined ingredients. Without delicious cookies and brownies in the marketplace that were made of ingredients that she wanted in her body, she realized that she would have to make her own, and soon, Sweet Loren’s was born. Loren is a graduate of Columbia University’s Columbia Community Business Program (’12), University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication (’06), she completed the Master Class in Cooking at the New School, and is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor. She loves yoga, running, cycling, painting, traveling, the beach, dinners with friends, and has an insatiable sweet tooth.

-What’s Your Personal Mission Statement
My personal mission is to improve the baking industry by creating enlightened alternatives to conventional baked goods. I believe that your body is your temple—but, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and indulge, just choose smartly. Personally, I know I am happier and have more energy when I eat food that enhances my wellbeing—and to me, that means eating as whole and natural ingredients as possible. As a foodie, I always want delicious taste, and that the food I choose to eat takes me on an emotional adventure. I try to lead an active, healthy lifestyle that includes balance and conscious choices—even amidst a busy schedule. We live once—and I want to live life to the fullest. I know that good food helps us be our best self, and that it’s important to celebrate often--with yourself and those you love. Cancer has affected my family so much—my mother passed a way from a chronic leukemia in 2010, and I overcame Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 22. Cancer is an epidemic that we’ve almost all been affected by. My goal is to not only inspire a healthier lifestyle in those around me, but also to be able to give back to cancer research in a big way as we grow. My goal is to change the world—through cookies—one day.

-Biggest Business Mistake
Ugh. Where to begin! Looking back, it is hard to have regrets, because I had to do what I did in that moment. If I could do it again, I would wish to start my business with a partner with complimentary strengths. If it’s the right partnership, you can go twice as fast. Also, I wished that I researched the industry more and wrote a more in depth business plan at the beginning. My business started the complete opposite way—it started with only me, creating recipes in my mom’s kitchen with my younger sister as my official taste tester—and Whole Foods Market being our first customer. I went from 0 to 60, really fast.

-How Do You Handle Business Stress and Uncertainty
I deal with uncertainty and stress with daily workouts, healthy food choices, meditation, and talking to everyone I respect in business…a lot. I have days of total clarity, and then days of total distraction. It is hard to stay stress-free when juggling so much, and having so much at risk in something you so believe in. I share what I am going through a lot with other entrepreneurs, and listen to what others in business and the food industry can share. Between all of the people that I talk to, I get an instinct of what feels right to do next. And, that gives me some sort of certainty so that I can lead my company the best and most direct way that I can. Doing yoga, going for a run outside, eating fresh food—all make me realize that I am just happy to be alive, right here, right now.

-Greatest Business Decision That Changed Everything
Talk to anyone and everyone. I went straight up to Hoda Kotb from NBC’s The Today Show at a Fashion Night Out Event in NYC back in 2010, when I had just launched SL. Even though she was out with her girlfriends, I just walked up to her and told her all about Sweet Loren’s. Her best friend loved the concept, and invited me to drinks with them the next night. I just kept in touch with them --for over a year. When I emailed Hoda that I thought her viewers would love to hear about Sweet Loren’s, she told me she wanted me on and was going to interview me live the next week on the Today Show. That changed everything.

-Best Book For The Entrepreneurial Mindset
I wish I had more time to read. Great books stay with you forever. I was very motivated by Steve Jobs’ biography. It feels good to see that nothing amazing is done over night, or easily. It simply takes time, care, attention, and an undying passion to make the best possible product you can. It also shows me that you don’t have to be the best at everything. Find your strengths and own them—hire people around you to round out an all-star team.

- Plus much more...