Eureka Moment

CNNMoney:

Johnny Valdene and Travis Hollman were running a toy company that sold $6 million in marshmallow shooters every year.

At a trade fair in New York City they saw an attendee collapsing from what looked like a heart attack.

Paramedics later told them that the man had in fact suffered an anxiety attack — brought on by too many caffeinated energy drinks.

They decided that the world needed the opposite of an energy drink: a relaxation drink made from soothing, natural ingredients.

With the help of a food scientist they created a drink with theanine, an amino acid found in green tea; B vitamins; and L-threonine, a natural antidepressant. They enlisted six grad students to test the drink.

Three months later Valdene and Hollman launched ViB (pronounced Vibe). Today ViB sells through 68 West Coast distributors. Sales are expected to hit $5 million this year.

Photo by CNNMoney.

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