Born from lived experience and a whole lot of heart, Vancouver-based Sowleil is making it easier—and safer—for everyone to snack boldly. Formerly known as Seed Almighty, the newly rebranded company launched this month with a mission to change the way we think about nut-free eating. We sat down with co-founders Grace, a critical care nurse with lifelong severe allergies, and Nick, a teacher who works closely with allergy-sensitive kids, to talk about their journey from homemade batches to a movement in a jar. —Noa Nichol
You both come from backgrounds in care and education-what inspired you to make the leap into food entrepreneurship, and what did those early days of creating your own seed butter look like?
It all started pretty organically – we never pictured ourselves in the world of business. When this began, we were both fully immersed in our careers as a nurse and a teacher. But during the pandemic, after a cancelled trip to Nepal, we found ourselves back home with a lot of time in the kitchen. Grace has lived with a severe nut allergy her whole life, so whipping up allergen-free spreads had always been part of our routine. We started sharing a few creations on Instagram with friends and family, and before we knew it, a local grocery store manager reached out asking to stock it. From there, everything snowballed! Those early days were scrappy – in the best way. Just the two of us, a blender, stacks of jars, handwritten labels, and a steep learning curve. We didn’t have a business plan – just passion, curiosity, and a problem we believed was worth solving.
Sowleil is more than just a new name-can you share the story behind the rebrand and what it symbolizes for the future of your company?
Our rebrand reflects how much we’ve grown, not just as a business, but as individuals. It’s rooted in our intention to promote mindful food choices, inclusivity, and community. Sowleil (pronounced So-Lay) is a name that captures where we’re headed. It blends the phrase “To Sow the Seeds”- a nod to both our ingredients and our mission of planting the seeds for intentional, allergen-free nourishment – with Soleil, the French word for sun, symbolizing the warmth, light, and joy that food and community bring. Together, Sowleil represents a bigger vision. While seed butter is our starting point, this new chapter gives us the freedom to grow into a fuller range of allergen-friendly, nutrient-dense products, and eventually (we hope!) beyond packaged food. For us, the rebrand is about stepping forward with more purpose, more clarity, and endless possibility.
Allergen-friendly products are growing in demand, but many still struggle to find safe and nourishing options. What gaps in the market did you see that Sowleil is specifically designed to fill?
There are plenty of great health food products out there, but so many rely on nuts, which instantly excludes people with allergies, especially kids and families. On the other hand, many nut-free options feel like an afterthought – often packed with processed sugars, low in nutrition, or made in facilities that still process peanuts and tree nuts.
We created Sowleil to change that. Our goal was to make something that’s not just safe, but genuinely exciting – flavourful, nutrient-dense, and made with zero compromises. Allergen-friendly snacks deserve to be taken seriously, and we’re here to make them joyful, nourishing, and crave-worthy for everyone. Even after stepping away from this business for a few years, we couldn’t find anything that matched the taste and nutritional value of our spreads, and that’s exactly why we came back to it.
Your spreads are free from the top 11 allergens. How difficult was it to develop recipes that are both safe and still delicious enough to stand out in a crowded market?
Creating our Original Seed Butter definitely came more naturally than our Tiger Nut Butter – it was born from a real need in Grace’s life to find a nutritious, allergen-safe alternative to peanut and nut butters. Over the years, we saw nut butter brands combining multiple nuts and marketing them as high-protein, nutrient-rich options. We thought, “Why not do the same with seeds?” Seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, and chia are just as powerful, and they deserve their moment.
We also knew we wanted something that tasted amazing without relying on added sugars, so the rest came together from there. Our Chocolate Tiger Nut Butter, on the other hand, took more experimentation. Tiger nuts were new to us, and finding the right consistency and flavour balance took a bit more time, but we were committed to using only real, whole ingredients with no fillers or junk. The result? Two creamy, craveable spreads that are completely allergy-safe and we’re really proud of what we’ve created.
Inclusivity is a major part of Sowleil’s mission. What does inclusive snacking mean to you, and how do you hope your products will shape the conversation around allergy-safe foods?
To us, inclusive snacking means no one is left out. Whether you have a food allergy, dietary restriction, or just want to eat more mindfully, you should be able to enjoy food that feels exciting and safe. We want to normalize allergen-friendly products on the shelves – not in a separate section, not with a disclaimer, just as part of the everyday snack conversation. Our dream is that everyone can dip their spoon in and feel like it was made for them, because it was.
You’ve described your products as gut-friendly and mindful. Can you talk more about the nutritional benefits of tiger nuts and seeds, and why these ingredients were the right foundation for your line?
Tiger nuts are a total hidden gem! They’re not actually nuts, they’re tubers – so they’re naturally safe for people with nut allergies. They’re rich in prebiotic fibre, iron, and magnesium, and have this amazing naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavour. Combine that with powerhouse seeds like sunflower, pumpkin and chia, and you’ve got a spread that’s loaded with nutrients, healthy fats, and protein. These ingredients let us create something functional and fun, perfect for everything from breakfast to post-workout fuel.
Many allergy-friendly brands still rely on preservatives or highly processed ingredients. Why was it important to you to stay free of those additives?
We care just as much about what’s not in the jar as what is. With Grace’s background in critical care nursing, she’s seen firsthand how everyday food choices impact long-term health. And as a teacher passionate about nutrition, Nick understands the power of early education in shaping healthy habits. So for us, it never made sense to create an allergy-safe product filled with preservatives or unrecognizable ingredients. We keep it simple: dates for natural sweetness, MCT oil for a smooth texture, and Himalayan salt for balance. That’s it! Just real food, thoughtfully chosen, so you can feel confident that every spoonful is as clean and nourishing as it is delicious.
Launching a food business is no small feat – what’s been the most rewarding part of this journey so far, and what’s been the most surprising challenge?
The most rewarding part has definitely been hearing from people who finally feel included. Back when we were Seed Almighty, we’d get messages from parents saying how relieved they were to find something safe and delicious for their kids – it was such a good feeling to know we were making snack time easier and less stressful for families. That kind of feedback really keeps us going. The biggest surprise? Just how much goes into running a food business behind the scenes! From figuring out packaging to navigating food safety rules, it’s been a wild ride. One of the biggest challenges was realizing we couldn’t find a fully nut-free kitchen to produce in, so we made the big decision to build our own. It’s been a huge learning curve, but we’ve learned so much and are still growing every day.
What can customers expect when Sowleil officially launches on May 13? Any upcoming products or expansion plans you can tease?
We’re starting things off with two of our favourites: Original Seed Butter and Chocolate Tiger Nut Butter, sold in 375g jars. As for what’s next? We’ve definitely got big dreams, but for now we’ll be focusing on promoting and getting our stride after our re-launch. We do hope sooner than later, that we can share a more community-focused project that has been in the works. Honestly, it feels like we’re just getting started!
And finally, what’s your absolute favourite way to enjoy your spreads? Any go-to recipes, snacks, or creative uses you’d love to share with our readers?
For Grace, it might not sound that exciting but her favourite way to enjoy our spreads is our go-to version of a classic PB&J! Growing up with a nut allergy, she never really got to experience it, so now it’s all about warm toast with seed butter, banana slices, chia seeds, and a drizzle of honey. When the weather heats up, we’re big on smoothies and our spreads are a must in them to provide a nourishing kick. As for Nick, he’s got a sweet tooth and honestly just loves to eat it straight from the jar! Both butters are also amazing in banana bread, or if you’re feeling savoury, try the Original Seed Butter as a base for peanut-free sauces in curries or satays. Sow good!
Win! 1 of 5 Sowleil Prize Packs!
Congrats Alisha K. of Calgary, AB, Ada L. of Vancouver, BC, Naomi L. of Kelowna, BC, Sheena W. of Vancouver BC, and Manon M. of Quebec, QC, who will each receive two jars of Sowleil! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.
share:
Be the first to comment