Our story · Rory Fox, founder
A 14-year-old,$300 and asweet tooth.
Swole Bears started from a personal need: a kid who loved candy and wanted something better for him.
"Why should fueling your body feel like a chore?"
Rory, age 14
Feb 2023 · Age 14
A kid with a sweet tooth
Rory loved candy. A lot. Protein bars tasted like chalk and the 'healthy' snacks never hit the spot. So he took $300 and started experimenting at home.
Trial and (lots of) error
Test batches
Gummies that didn't set. Gummies that tasted wrong. Late nights before school. Every flop got him one batch closer to the gummy he wished existed.
Making it official
Permit, kitchen, launch
At 16 he earned his CFIA food permit, moved into a commercial kitchen and opened the online shop. Within two weeks, bags were heading to every province and territory.
Recognized
Minister's Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence
Rory was honoured with Nova Scotia's Minister's Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence, presented at the Sobey School of Business.
On real shelves
Stores said yes
One conversation at a time, Swole Bears found a home in 119 stores across Canada, right next to brands with way bigger budgets. And 200 more are in the works.
Today · Age 18
Our own production facility
Swole Bears now makes every bag in its own 5,000+ sq ft production facility in Nova Scotia, built fully for Swole Bears and run by Nova Scotians. Same kid. Much bigger dream.
Still 18. Still building.
Every bag helps write the next chapter.
The team behind the bears
It started with just me.
It's not just me anymore.
In the beginning I did absolutely everything myself. Today Swole Bears is built by a whole team of people, and I'm so grateful for every one of them.
Our production team
The great team in our Nova Scotia facility who make every batch of Swole Bears.
Package design helpers
The people who helped turn my rough ideas into the bags you see on shelves today.
Mentors & advisors
The people who help me think bigger and make better decisions as Swole Bears grows.
Everyone rooting me on
Family, friends, store owners and customers who believed in a kid with a crazy idea.
You, on social media
Every share, comment and "you have to try these" to a friend. That's how a small brand gets found.
To everyone who has helped on this journey, big or small: thank you. Every batch, every bag and every store we're in has your fingerprints on it.
Rory Fox
Founder
Chase the crazy dream
If a 14-year-old can do it, so can you.
Rory visits schools to share his story with junior high students. His goal is to inspire other kids to chase their dreams and show them that being young isn't a reason to wait.
Off the clock
Founder and athlete.
Rory's an athlete too. When he's not making gummies, you'll find him on the baseball diamond.
