BOL Foods is redefining feel-good, plant-based eating with its 100% plant-powered products. Founded in 2015 by Paul Brown, former Innocent executive turned BOL founder and CEO, this bold, disruptive brand is on a mission to help even the busiest people eat well by making nutritious, delicious food an accessible, everyday pleasure.
And they’re doing it at a time when plant-based eating is bigger than ever.
The market is projected to reach £68.67 billion ($85 billion) by 2030, and BOL is one of the key players leading the charge, proving that eating well can be both convenient and packed with taste. “At BOL, we’re proud to make food from the best of nature, food you can truly enjoy, that fuels you with energy and all the goodness you need to smash your day the way food should,” says Lici Sawyer, BOL’s brand manager.
Continuously raising the bar with plant-based products
Since its early days, BOL has embraced the KAIZEN™ methodology—a Japanese principle of continuous improvement—when making its plant-powered products, from breakfast power shakes to one-pot lunch meals to nourishing soups for dinner.
“We work toward becoming a little bit better each day and challenging ourselves to positively evolve and do right by people and the planet,” explains Brown.
A prime example of this methodology? BOL’s Power Shakes—a 100% nutritionally complete meal in a bottle packed with over 20 grams of protein, nourishing whole foods, and 26 essential vitamins and minerals—with no added sugar, sweeteners, or preservatives. BOL first launched their Power Shakes in 2017, and (seven years later) they’re still working tirelessly to ensure the product continuously raises the bar.
Moving their big plans into a bigger office space
With big plans to scale, BOL needed an office space that could grow with them. In 2019, they moved from a smaller co-working space into WeWork’s 2 Eastbourne Terrace, drawn by its premium amenities, flexibility, and dynamic work environment.
“As a mission-driven food company, we wanted a space that brings out the best in our team,” shares Sarah Corrodus-Patterson, veg pad manager and personal assistant to Brown. “The space and environment at WeWork has been the perfect incubator for innovation and out-the-box thinking and has been core to our success here at BOL.”
From leading presentations and hosting meetings with their production partners and retailers to trialling new recipes, designing brand assets, or filming social content, no day looks the same for the BOL team. And WeWork offers the space and flexibility for these varying needs. “The set-up of the dynamic space enables our team of 20+ to smash a range of roles and responsibilities all under the same roof,” adds Brown.
In 2022, BOL expanded again, moving its team of 25+ to WeWork 5 Merchant Square, where they have a larger, private office, storage space, and dedicated meeting rooms.
Creating a personalised office space that drives connection
The BOL ‘Veg Pad’ at 5 Merchant Square is integral to the company’s success and employee experience. “Our space at WeWork, The Veg Pad, is our hub and a huge part of what keeps our culture so strong,” says Brown. “Having a great space that people are happy to come to every day is a key part of what’s helped our culture to thrive, and I’m super proud of it.”
The Veg Pad has become the ultimate space for teamwork. “We’re a team that thrives on being with people, so WeWork is a huge perk,” shares Sawyer. “It couldn’t be further from your typical clinical ‘office’ vibe; from the interior design to the music and community team, there’s always something going on,” adds Corrodus-Patterson.
Their customised office space has also been a powerful tool for engaging external partners, including prospective talent. “We’ve found that potential new hires love WeWork’s amenities, regular socials, and flexible locations,” says Corrodus-Patterson.
Beyond their personalised Veg Pad, BOL fully embraces WeWork’s community. “We’re often out there asking people for their thoughts on our recipes and learning about their shopping habits to level up what we’re bringing to market,” says Corrodus-Patterson. “From meeting long-term BOL fans to meeting other FMCG brands, we’ve made some amazing connections,” adds Brown.
Using WeWork to ideate and create
Over the years, WeWork has offered BOL Foods a brilliant environment for ideation and creation. Now, they’re using that environment to work on their NBT (next big thing).
“We’re in the midst of creating a range that will target a completely new audience for BOL, will be a first to market and an absolute category game-changer,” Brown adds.
And they’re making it at WeWork.
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