Perrydise Nutrition keeps their customers energized, healthy this Women’s History Month

PERRY – Many female-owned businesses throughout Houston County are worth highlighting during Women’s History Month. One of those is Perrydise Nutrition, which energizes and provides healthy options for the community.

This July, Perrydise Nutrition will have its third anniversary and in August, Owner Laura Hester will reach her second anniversary. She bought the business in Aug. 2023.

Perrydise Nutrition has various Herbalife products. The business sells meal replacement shakes, energy teas, and overall, health-based products. Hester said their shakes have less than 250 calories with 24 to 27 grams of protein. 

The business also has protein iced coffees and energy drinks, which come in different options, including loaded teas, beauty teas, and specialty teas. The loaded teas have 200 milligrams of caffeine, 24 calories, and no sugar. 

The beauty teas include biotin and collagen, and 115 milligrams of caffeine. Biotin is a B vitamin needed for metabolism, and collagen is a protein needed for structural support of skin, bones, and tendons.

The specialty tea, a customer favorite, according to Hester, includes 17 grams of protein plus biotin and collagen. It also includes 115 milligrams of caffeine. Hester said there’s healthy options for everybody. 

Hester has been involved in the medical field for the majority of her life, previously working at a cardiology office. She considers her business as a way to keep educating customers about a healthy lifestyle.

For example, a common demographic is customers with diabetes. She still helps them with their goals by providing diabetic friendly options. 

“I still get that medical part of me, that I absolutely love, but I also get to teach them about our products and how safe and healthy they are for people,” she said.

Hester frequented a similar store in Warner Robins. One day, she was talking with another woman, who encouraged her to open up a store and sell products that can be used at home. Now, Perrydise has a “preferred member” option, where customers can have products shipped directly to their home for a discounted price. 

A couple of years ago, Hester had surgery and was in recovery for three months. She then told her husband she didn’t want to return to her day job. 

Her husband was shocked by her decision, but then she told him about Perrydise Nutrition opening up in Perry. He supported her dream to start learning more about the store and the business world.

Hester was the manager of Perrydise Nutrition during her first year and she prayed she could one day take over. Finally, the door to her dream opened and she purchased the business in August of 2023. She describes her experience since then as absolutely amazing.

She shared her favorite part of owning a business is meeting new people and being able to educate them and support their health goals.

“Strangers off the street become friends and then they become like family. Then, you learn about their families,” she said.

Hester jokingly said Thursdays are “Therapy Thursday” at the shop, because customers see her business as a safe place. She said there is no judgment whenever a customer wants to share their story.

“It’s just awesome. That’s the best part about it, is just the relationships,” she said. 

Hester is originally from Macon but currently lives in Warner Robins, describing Perry as a great community, a different world and where everyone is spectacular. The business has received support from local schools, from Bonaire to Perry Middle Schools, Perry High School, and the local elementary schools.

Hester shared she hasn’t experienced any challenges, except with advertising. She said daily, from 15 to 20 new customers didn’t know how long she was in business, or the business was there in the first place. 

Perrydise Nutrition’s main avenue of promotion is through Facebook, Instagram, and word of mouth, with a sizable following on social media.

“It’s just absolutely spectacular. I love it when somebody walks in the door and you can call them by their first name and you know what they’re going to get because they get the same thing every day,” she said. “I think that just creates an awesome business owner to customer relationship because they appreciate that.”

Hester’s advice to local female entrepreneurs is to have no fear. Hester was initially terrified to take over the business because she had never owned one. Before the medical field, she worked in sales at the Macon Telegraph.  

Thankful for her opportunity, Hester encouraged women entrepreneurs to follow their dreams, have a positive attitude, and take the risk; she said they will succeed with customers as their advertisement. 

“When you love on somebody, they’re going to feel it, and they’re going to spread the word about you. Just go all in,” she said.

Perrydise Nutrition is located at 1203 Sunset Avenue and offers free local deliveries within a 10 mile radius. They are open from Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

To keep up with Perrydise Nutrition visit their Facebook page, or call them at (478) 919-6967.