Mylk Labs 2024: Organic Instant Oatmeal, Fast & Tasty Fuel
Grace Cheng often used oatmeal as fuel for her busy days as a model. It was that – and her passion for healthy living and good food – that gave her the idea for Mylk Labs. We chatted with Grace to find out more about her story and what Mylk Labs offers.
Please tell us more about Mylk Labs
Mylk Labs is the recreation of a breakfast item that had gotten me through years of crazy schedules and that I wanted to share with the world: oatmeal. I come from the fashion industry and throughout my years of experience, I used to eat oatmeal every single day.
It had become my “daily hug” – the first thing I’d eat in the morning and that would give me energy until noon. I traveled everywhere with it in a bag.
Mylk Labs is fundamentally a one-woman, BIPOC-owned company based in Los Angeles. We sell five different flavors of oatmeal cups, including Toasted Coconut & Cinnamon, Apple, Blueberry, Hazelnut, and Almond.
Why oatmeal?
I know, it seems random! Honestly, right off the bat, oatmeal is not the sexiest thing. But I grew up eating very unhealthily, and over the years, I had the craziest schedules and needed energy.
One day, I don’t know how, but I stumbled upon oatmeal and figured out it wasn’t bad. Over time, I tweaked my recipe and got to a point where I started finding it delicious! So, I started eating it every single day and now, eight years later, I’m still eating it every morning.
I’ve always had a passion for the health, wellness, and food industry regardless of modeling. As a foodie, I couldn’t find anything else that fit my needs: delicious, low-sugar, full of texture and nutrients. That’s why I started my own company.
What makes your oatmeal unique?
I used to look at the options on the market at the time, and I found that most oatmeal cups were filled with sugar. We only use five grams of organic coconut sugar to sweeten an entire serving – this is one of the things that makes Mylk Labs unique.
Another thing is the use of ground, roasted almonds as the base with the oats. It creates a creamy almond milk texture with just the use of hot water – because when you’re on the go, you might not have milk to hand. It also adds protein and healthy fats, and the roasting of the almonds brings out the flavor. Finally, all our recipes are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Who are your products aimed at?
Our main customer base ranges from early 20s to mid-to-late 30s. But then we also get health-conscious 55-year-olds who don’t like sugar, for instance. But it’s younger customers who tend to be more on the go, so they need a product like this to take to work, school, on their travels, and more.
What’s next for Mylk Labs – will you expand your range?
I am already thinking of expanding! Not so much for lunch and dinner – my strong suit is the snack/grab n’ go category.
We currently have an online “pantry” that sells add-ons like toasted coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, rolled oats, and chocolate wafers. Down the line, I’d like to introduce healthy snack options, or maybe even a dessert. It’s in the works and I can’t say too much right now, but stay tuned!
