Exclusive: Sunnie Co-Founders Katy Tucker and Lisette Howard Created the Brand to 'Provide Balanced Nutrition' Into Kids' Lives

Sunnie Co-Founders Katy Tucker and Lisette Howard knew exactly why they wanted to start the company: "to create truly wholesome snacks that support the hectic pace of modern family life," the duo exclusively tell Morning Honey. "Our journey began when we recognized the challenge busy parents face — finding nutritious options that don't compromise on convenience."

"Sunnie was born from our belief that nutrition shouldn't be complicated. We crafted our snacks with clean, real-food ingredients that both parents and children can feel good about. Whether you're rushing to morning meetings, packing school lunches, or needing sustainable energy between activities, Sunnie provides balanced nutrition that fits seamlessly into your day," they share.

The duo, who are both moms and longtime friends, created the idea after they both struggled with what to pack their kids for lunch.

"Each of us, juggling three kids, we were constantly searching for nutritious, ready-to-eat options for our preschool and elementary-aged children," they share. "The contradiction was striking: we could purchase fresh, refrigerated baby food for our infants and premium fresh pet food for our dogs, yet when it came to our growing children, the options narrowed dramatically to basic meat and cheese trays or the same processed snacks many of us grew up with decades ago."

They continue: "This revelation sparked Sunnie's creation. We set out to develop snacks that truly met modern families' evolving standards, products free from refined sugars, seed oils, artificial preservatives and 'natural flavors' that aren't natural at all. We believed parents shouldn't have to choose between convenience and clean nutrition, especially during the busiest years of raising children. Sunnie represents our solution to this everyday challenge: thoughtfully crafted snacks that provide the nutrition children need and the convenience parents require, without compromising on quality or ingredients."

Frustrated by the lack of options for their kids, and even themselves, they partnered with top pediatric nutritionist Jill Castle, MS, RDN, to create minimally processed snacks that check every box.

"We hope Sunnie will transform how families experience snacking by reintroducing the concept of truly nourishing food. Our vision extends beyond simply providing convenient options, we're working to reshape taste preferences and eating habits from an early age," they state. "By introducing children to the natural sweetness of dates and coconut sugar, we help young palates appreciate authentic flavors rather than becoming accustomed to the overpowering taste of refined sugars. This early exposure to real-food ingredients builds the foundation for healthier food choices throughout life."

Though there's lots of snacks out there, they hope Sunnie will be the one people gravitate toward as they are satisfying and leave young ones full.

"Unlike the empty calories of conventional snack foods that leave you reaching for more, each Sunnie product functions as a balanced "mini meal," thoughtfully combining healthy fats, quality protein and fiber to deliver sustained energy and genuine satiation," they note. "We measure our success not just by sales, but by how our products make people feel. Energized rather than sluggish, truly satisfied rather than craving more, and confident in the nutritional quality of what they're feeding themselves and their families."

The businesswomen have "always been" interested in food, as it's "been the cornerstone of our friendship."

"We've spent many hours cooking together, whether crafting campfire meals under Yosemite stars or preparing homemade Italian feasts for friends. This shared passion naturally evolved into our business vision," they share. "When creating Sunnie, we deliberately flipped the typical health food approach. Instead of making 'healthy' products that people merely tolerate, we developed genuinely delicious snacks that happen to be nutritious. Our philosophy is simple: exceptional flavor and wholesome ingredients should always go hand-in-hand, never requiring compromise."

Though it's tough to work with a good friend, they love that they get to explore new cities together. "Sure, a random trip to Minneapolis might sound boring, but when we hunt down the best restaurant and split an amazing bottle of wine, boom, instant girls' night out," they quip, noting that there are challenges along the way. "We've had to learn each other's hot buttons and make sure we patch things up quickly if we step on each other's toes. The good news is we don't take ourselves too seriously, so those moments don't happen often."

"Lisette is a very analytical, deep thinker who excels at solving problems before they even hit our desk. She brings a methodical approach to our business, anticipating challenges and creating strategic solutions that keep us ahead of potential issues. Katy, on the other hand, is our visionary dreamer who constantly explores how we can grow and evolve the business. Her forward-thinking perspective keeps us innovative and ensures we're always looking toward new opportunities. This natural complementarity creates a powerful dynamic between us," they add about their dynamic.

As for what the future holds, the ladies are dreaming big, especially after they've received such positive feedback about the product.

"We hope that in 5-10 years, you'll find Sunnie everywhere you're on the go – in airports, maybe even on airplanes, your favorite coffee shops, and amusement parks. Sunnie truly shines when it's there in those critical moments of need – when your child is having a meltdown, when you've forgotten to eat lunch, or when you're surrounded by nothing but unhealthy options," they state.

They continue: "We're excited to expand our product line to support more snacking moments throughout the day. Breakfast is one area we're actively exploring. We're also looking at how we can better serve busy families, especially by creating convenient, satisfying options for lunchtime. There's a lot of innovation happening behind the scenes, and we're just getting started!"

"We hope to inspire others to stay curious and take action on the problems they see in the world. Just because a solution doesn't exist in the market yet doesn't mean it shouldn't. Your ideas are worthy and deserve to be pursued," they conclude.

Check out and follow Sunnie on Instagram @feel.sunnie.