N.S. teen competing for $25K for Swole Bears gummy business

A young entrepreneur has faced challenges to expand his protein gummy bear business, but has met each one head on.

A Nova Scotia teenager’s protein gummy bears business is angling for a major prize that could take it to the next level.

Rory Fox, 17, started Swole Bears three years ago, offering high-protein alternatives to the typical gummy bears. Fox, who played baseball and spent a lot of time in the gym, was looking for something healthy that also tasted good.

“What can I create that people at the gym would love that I could stand behind?” he said. “I had the idea to create something everyone loves – candy – with what we need – protein. I found what you need to make gummy bears and made all sorts of substitutions.”

Fox made his batches at home and says he launched them in 30 retail stores.

“The business was everything to me,” he said. “People are really encouraging me. I knew it was possible and I just stuck with it.”

Fox was recently accepted to the Entrepreneur of Impact contest, which offers a $25,000 prize and a mentorship with Daymond John from Shark Tank.

“Winning this challenge would be super big for me,” Fox said. “I’m working 20 hours a day so having a few extra hands would help.”

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