Main image credit: COYO twitter
Bethany Eaton quit her job in the police force to launch Coyo, the coconut milk yoghurt. Joining forces with her husband she has since taken the healthy eating world by storm. We sat down with her to discuss everything from massage to the mass hysteria surrounding coconuts.
How do you think your time in the police force shaped you as a person?
Being in the Metropolitan Police force developed my confidence dramatically: I grew up in a very sheltered village, so being part of the police force really did open my eyes to a new side of the world. I was based in Hackney and the experience taught me how to deal with people and appreciate everything in life. No day is the same in the police force, so I grew to acknowledge change and I am now able to tackle any problems I am faced with. My early career experience has made me always approach a problematic situation with care and I research all possible eventualities before jumping into any hasty decisions.
What’s it like working with your husband?
To be honest, we don’t actually work together on a day to day basis – we both manage different parts of the business. I look after the PR & Marketing side and Paul, my husband manages the contractors and the running of the factory – of course we see each other every day, but we both have our own priorities within the CO YO business. This really helps balance our career and family life, as we are not completely involved in each other’s work – but always there for any second opinions or support.
What’s your favourite way to eat CO YO?
Vanilla CO YO coconut milk yoghurt spooned over fresh strawberries is my favourite in the summer or frozen into CO YO yoghurt lollies for the kids! The range is so versatile, it can be used in hundreds of recipes. For example, in the winter, I always add Natural CO YO to my Thai Curry, instead of coconut milk, as it is rich and creamy and adds a great flavour. Another favourite is CO YO Morello Cherry coconut milk yoghurt stirred in porridge and finished with a variety of toppings, such as seeds, fruits and nuts.
Do you have any advice for people start their own business?
Yes, don’t run before you can walk – if you take baby steps, it may take longer than you want, but you will get there in the end! Also, use who you know. For the first two years, I used my dad’s expertise for all of CO YO’s designs: he made the marketing materials to help cut costs. We even used a third party supplier for our factory in the beginning, until we had made enough to open up our own factory. When we started to make money, everything was put back into the business, helping it to grow and innovate.
Recently there have been conflicting reports about whether coconut oil is good or bad for you, what is your stance?
My view is that the saturated fats in Coconut Oil are nothing compared to what is in a steak, for instance. Coconut Oil is by far a lot better for you than any other oils: Olive Oil loses its health properties when heated to a high temperature. Coconut Oil however, does not – it keeps its nutrients and health factors at any temperature, making it versatile and a lot better for you than other oils.
Are there any new health foods you think are just fads / not really good for you?
I think “Low Fat” foods are generally fads. If they are low in fat, they are usually bulked out with carbohydrates or other additives to help the consumer feel full. I think you should eat things that are high in healthy fats. Your body needs fats to function: I would much rather eat something that is 400 calories, high in healthy fats and helps my body, than a product that is 10 calories and doesn’t give me any nutritional value.
What’s next for your brand?
We recently have just announced a new CO YO listing with Sainsbury’s, making us available in more than 450 large format and convenience stores nationwide. Our portfolio of retailers is always expanding, and you can find our coconut milk yoghurts in Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco, Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, Selfridges and over 1,000 independent stores. We are always coming up with new ideas for the brand and have more news in the pipeline for 2017, so stay tuned!
Do you enjoy getting massages?
Who doesn’t love a good massage? I try to get one every month, if I can make the time in my busy schedule. I always enjoy a Thai Massage.