Small Business Q&A: Ciaran Greenwood from V12 Protein Shots

This week Kehlan talks with Ciaran Greenwood from V12 Protein Shots.

V12 is a drink designed to give athletes essential protein for their bodies quickly and with no mess. Ciaran talks to Kehlan about how they started and why they looked to the UK first for business.

What are V12 Protein Shots?

What we do is we formulate and brand a protein drink which is made in Ireland and selling in the UK.

So they are small 60ml bottles which doesn’t require mixing or refrigeration and has a shelf life of several months. The shot contains 24g of protein and just 97 calories.

We sell into the UK market and have recently developed a partnership with Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are currently at the top end of the football championship table. We’re turning our attentions to Ireland now and hope to launch here in the next few months.

What does a protein shot give somebody who takes it?

Well essentially it gives you a small boost of protein; the important thing about protein is that it isn’t like fats or carbohydrates which the body stores up.

So it’s important that if you’re active you take it at regular intervals throughout the day and in small doses. The body relies on protein for our hair, nails, skin, muscle tissue, bones and blood. So it becomes very important to the regular functioning of the body.

This need for protein becomes greater when our bodies are at a higher state of fitness and are partaking in physical activity on a longer and more regular basis. For example, rugby or football players would train regularly through the week and so their diet needs to be able to take in protein quickly and easily. That’s where V12 comes in.

Did you see a gap in the market or was this through personal experience?

I saw the gap in the market and personal use, so a bit of both really. There is a huge market in the UK and Ireland for sports supplements. But very few of them are focused on the convenience of the end consumer.

With lots of them you are in a situation where you have to add a packet of something to water or milk to get your top up. I had to drink mixtures with large volumes of water and then of course wash out the glass or bottle for the next time. I wanted none of that for V12 Protein Shots.

With V12 it is mixed already and you can just open it and drink it, then put the empty bottle into the bin or recycling. Also If I’m in a rush to go somewhere, I don’t have the time for mixing and pouring and then drinking large volumes of liquids.

We didn’t want our product to be a chore. Consumers get what they need and then they aregone.

* V12 Protein Shots will be launching in Ireland soon. For more information go to V12shots.co.uk