From Market Stall To Global Snacks - The Journey of The Protein Ball Co | Founder - Matt Hunt

A teenager running a nut stall on Romford Market grows into a founder who builds a factory from scratch, ships to 18 countries, and decides to take on ultra‑processed snack bars with ingredients you can actually pronounce. Matt Hunt, co‑founder of The Protein Ball Co, joins us for a candid, high‑energy tour through graft, grit, and the choices that change a business.

We start with the market days that forged his sales reflex and urgency, then jump to a billion‑euro olive lesson that unlocked export logistics and the power of single‑serve. Spotting the protein surge at Expo West, Matt and Hayley ditched outsourcing and took the scary route: their own production line. Cue a shoestring unit by a train station, a rogue Indian roller flinging balls in front of investors, and the steep climb to certifications, staffing, and consistent quality. The payoff was control, speed, and a playbook for moving goods across borders without losing standards.

The conversation then zooms in on what’s inside modern “performance” snacks. Matt breaks down why many leading protein bars lean on sweeteners, humectants, and emulsifiers to hit claims, and how Protein Ball Co bets on dates, nut butters, seeds, and targeted proteins for better absorption and a label that passes the kitchen‑cupboard test. COVID forced a strategic pivot into private label, which stabilised volume, sharpened costs, and expanded capacity without abandoning the brand. And a left‑field detour — disgust at a pet factory - led to “It’s The Dogs,” low‑carb, human‑grade dog treats now landing in Pets Corner.

To mark ten years, they’ve rebranded with Robot Food under a clear stance: Ballsy By Nature. Vibrant packs, paper‑recyclable materials, and a tone that invites retailers to compare back of pack against anything on their shelves. With US supermarkets onboard and the factory humming, Matt is picking up the phone again, aiming to replace sugary till‑point defaults with snacks that work for people’s goals.

If you care about scaling food brands, clean label ingredients, private label strategy, and the craft of owning production, you’ll love this one. Subscribe, share it with a founder who needs the push, and leave a review to help more curious builders find the show. What back‑of‑pack swap should your local cafe make first?

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