In the dynamic world of health and nutrition, Dalal Beidoun, founder of Mylk Ma’am is a passionate, energetic force who is driving change and wellness in Kuwait. She is Kuwaiti-Lebanese by origin and a proud mother of three. Her vibrant personality has empowered her to kickstart her journey and we caught up with her to hear the story behind the birth of Kuwait’s favorite local clean plant-based brand, Mylk Ma’am.
Dalal’s journey has been nothing short of adventurous. Her infectious energy, coupled with her background as an ex-pro athlete, a certified gut health coach, and a culinary expert, paints a picture of relentless determination. “I’m someone who’s always on the move. I find my spark in people’s appreciation for life and the love of good food,” she shares.
The inspiration behind Mylk Ma’am came from her kids; she tells us that it was their health struggles that led her to an exploration of nutrition and well-being. A challenging phase in their lives turned into an opportunity for profound learning, propelling her into the realm of health and nutrition. The current Mylk Ma’am product range includes almond, oat and coconut mylks, as well as coconut yogurt, vegan kefir, granolas, puddings, bread and more!
Mylk Ma’am came into existence during unprecedented times. “The pandemic nudged me to channel my passion into recipes, eventually gaining traction among family members, who in turn encouraged me to develop it into a brand,” Dalal recounts. She continues, “My family’s unwavering support was my backbone. Juggling three kids and nurturing a budding brand seemed impossible, but their belief in my passion kept me going. True friends who uplifted me on days of doubt played a pivotal role.”
Navigating initial feedback from sampling her earlier recipes, Dalal explains to us that there was a steep learning curve when promoting the products. Initially there was a challenge trying to encourage acceptance of alternative products to dairy, especially nut-based products. “While some people embraced the new products, others had reservations. However, I aimed to educate through reels and stories, advocating for fresh, clean alternatives over packaged products,” she explains. Over time, with education and greater awareness of wellness, Dalal noticed a shift in how people were responding and she noticed an uptick in demand.
Dalal had originally started Mylk Ma’am with almond and oat mylks and now the product line evolved to 15 offerings. “The quest for expansion kept me awake at night. Each product development was an emotional journey, especially the coconut yogurt – my fourth child,” she chuckles.
Transitioning from academia to food and beverage was a monumental challenge for Dalal. Building a business from scratch encompassed a myriad of obstacles – navigating platforms, setting up a kitchen, bureaucracy, customer interactions, you name it, but over time she has managed to create a name in the industry for her amazing product line, which is clean and nutritious. We are fans already!
We asked Dalal what her advice was for aspiring entrepreneurs, she shared that you should “Believe in your journey, despite fears. Embrace failures as stepping stones. Growth lies beyond fear.” It is no surprise with that motto in life, Dalal recently received the She’s Next Visa People’s Award. Dalal shared with pride “it was a humbling experience to be acknowledged among strong women entrepreneurs in Kuwait.”
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
What do you most value about your friends?
Loyalty – The ones who stick by you through thick and thin.
Which living person do you most admire?
Although my grandfather (peace be upon him) will always be my answer to my most admired person, this answer must go to my aunt Suzi and husband Amr. My rocks and my shoulders who have loved me unconditionally through all my falls and growths.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Inner peace. After losing my grandfather, I realized without inner peace, nothing can truly bring you joy.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Starting a company from passion and getting it to where it is today.
What is your most treasured possession?
I am not a person who treasures things. I treasure experiences, and my most treasured experience is my journey being a mama. Never a dull day 😀
What is your greatest fear?
Unfortunately, I experienced it not so long ago, losing a loved one.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Being humble.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Finding the positive in any crappy situation.
What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for?
Being able to wake up and say today will be a better day.
What is the human trait you most dislike about others?
Two-faced people
What is it that you most dislike?
People who do not enjoy eating, procrastinators & not being punctual. That’s all 😀
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Kil ta2kheera feeha kheera.
What are your favorite words to live by?
If it was meant to be, it will be. God always has a plan.
Where would you most like to live?
I am a summer baby, who loves good weather, fresh food, and the beach. Take me back to THAAIIILAAND.
If you could have any job, what would it be?
A globetrotter
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
3 kids, 2 jobs, and keeping sane through it all.
What do you hope for the future?
I hope for our world to be safe and sane for my kids to be able to grow to their best abilities.
Dalal’s goals for Mylk Ma’am are to expand the brand across the region, and we are so excited to hear of her achievements as she trailblazes her way across the region. If you haven’t tried her goodies yet, then it is something you definitely should do! For more about Mylk Ma’am’s journey and products, visit the website and follow @mylkma.am on Instagram.