Some people build companies, while others create movements.

Sitting down with Kerry Brown, co-founder of eat GANGSTER, made it evident that her company stands at the crossroads of entrepreneurship, wellness, and connection.

What started as a personal quest for answers has blossomed into a nationally recognized brand that supports individuals navigating food allergies, autoimmune conditions, and dietary restrictions without sacrificing joy, celebration, or a sense of belonging.

At first glance, eat GANGSTER is celebrated for its baking mixes. However, underlying this product line is a broader conversation about resilience, healing, and the belief that food can serve as a vital tool for enhancing overall well being.

During our engaging conversation, what struck me most was Kerry's insightful perspective on adversity. She candidly shared her journey with Type 1 Diabetes, the transformative health journey of her identical twin sister, and the powerful realization that life’s toughest challenges often spark a deeper purpose. Again and again, she emphasized a theme that resonates through both her life and business: obstacles can indeed become opportunities, and beauty can arise from even the most challenging times.

In a culture that frequently views dietary restrictions from a perspective of deprivation, Kerry has established a unique company rooted in a philosophy of abundance and nourishment. Her approach focuses on creating products that empower individuals to fully engage in life's celebrations, because for Kerry, food transcends mere sustenance. It embodies connection, community, and a sense of inclusion at the table.

Today, eat GANGSTER products are making their way into homes, universities, healthcare systems, and dining programs throughout the country. Despite its national prominence, the company remains deeply connected to Charleston, a place rich in history and cultural storytelling, where Kerry and her family feel at home, and where the next chapter of the business is set to unfold.

In this edition of Peninsula Magazine's Muses of Charleston, I aimed to delve into the story of the woman behind the brand. We discussed entrepreneurship, food as medicine, resilience, hope, and the invaluable lessons she has learned while building a company that empowers countless individuals to feel seen, included, and strong.

Below, Kerry shares reflections on the experiences that have shaped eat GANGSTER, the importance of advocating for one's health, and why she believes joy may be one of the most vital ingredients in the healing process.

Christina: The origin story of eat GANGSTER begins in a deeply personal place. Looking back now, how do you think your own health challenges shaped not only the business itself but also your understanding of purpose within the context of Charleston history and cultural storytelling?

Kerry: When I reflect on my diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes and the founding of eat GANGSTER, I recognize two defining moments—my own “Goliath” moments. They forced me to decide whether to retreat or step forward and face the challenge head-on. We all encounter moments like this in life; they test us and shape our paths. What I’ve learned is that our greatest challenges often lead us to discover our purpose. Without those experiences, eat GANGSTER would not have been born.

Christina: You often speak about food as medicine. Was there a singular moment when you realized food had the power to change your life, or was it a realization that revealed itself gradually?

Kerry: For me, it began with my identical twin sister. She battled debilitating panic attacks and anxiety to the point where she could barely leave her house. Witnessing her transformation through dietary changes was eye-opening. It was my first true understanding that what we consume directly affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. My own journey was more gradual, but eventually, I recognized the same connection. Today, I see food not as a diet but as nourishment—an essential opportunity to heal and support my body.

Christina: Watching your sister’s health transformation was a catalyst for your own journey. How did her experience influence your personal choices?

Kerry: The dramatic change in my sister was impossible to ignore. After she eliminated foods contributing to inflammation, her panic attacks vanished completely. Although my health challenges differed, her transformation made me acutely aware of how food impacts my body. I’ve learned to listen to the signals my body sends. Some foods enhance my energy and well being, while others leave me feeling anxious or drained. Witnessing her experience taught me that food isn’t just fuel; it’s information, shaping our health every day.

Christina: Before co-founding eat GANGSTER, you forged a remarkable career in consumer marketing and brand development. What invaluable lessons did you gain from those experiences that you now apply to your company?

Kerry: The most crucial lesson throughout my career has been simple: trust your gut. In 2002, I transitioned from a corporate position to work for $8 an hour at lululemon’s first U.S. store. I folded pants, cleaned bathrooms, and promoted the brand on Santa Monica Boulevard. From the moment I entered that store, I felt I belonged there. I couldn’t explain it, but I trusted that instinct, and years later, I was leading the company’s U.S. Marketing as we expanded to 80 stores and went public.
I sensed that same pull when Heather and I began experimenting with recipes in my kitchen. What started as a mission to create edible options for myself quickly evolved into something much larger. The lesson remained the same: when something persistently calls to you, pay attention. Sometimes your intuition perceives opportunities before your conscious mind does.

Christina: Many entrepreneurs identify a market gap. You identified a gap in people’s lives. What did you feel was missing from the conversation around restrictive eating?

Kerry: Most conversations about restrictive eating emphasize what individuals can’t consume. The predominant narrative is one of limitation and sacrifice. We aimed to shift that dialogue.
Our mission is to restore freedom and joy to those navigating food restrictions by crafting products they can genuinely enjoy. Ultimately, we aspire to be recognized not merely as a company for people on restrictive diets, but as a brand that creates exceptionally clean and delicious baking mixes that anyone would choose for their taste and how they make them feel. I believe we are close to realizing that vision.

Christina: Restrictive diets are often tied to feelings of deprivation. You seem determined to replace that narrative with one of abundance and joy. Why is that distinction so important to you?

Kerry: Traditional diet culture tends to focus on deprivation—eat less, restrict more, and fixate on what you can’t have. That’s never resonated with us.
Our perspective on food centers on nourishment rather than restriction. Every person’s needs are unique, and we must discover what enables our bodies to thrive. For me, that means a diet rich in protein and vegetables. However, during celebrations or special moments, I desire options that are as enjoyable as they are nourishing. That’s what eat GANGSTER embodies.

Christina: The floral imagery on your packaging signifies “beauty from ashes.” It’s a powerful metaphor. What does this phrase signify to you in your life today?

Kerry: It represents hope in all circumstances. We firmly believe our bodies and lives possess an extraordinary capacity for healing. One of my favorite concepts is that “the obstacle is the way.” I’ve witnessed this manifest repeatedly in my life. The challenges we dread often lead to our most significant growth, wisdom, and purpose. The floral imagery serves as a reminder that beauty can arise even from our darkest seasons.

Christina: Your brand exudes optimism while acknowledging the reality of hardship. How do you balance recognizing difficult diagnoses with offering hope?

Kerry: For me, hope and hardship coexist; they are not opposing forces. Life is inherently challenging for each of us in various ways. Difficulties, loss, and unforeseen diagnoses are part of our shared human experience. But so are resilience, healing, and endless possibilities. I don’t believe that offering hope necessitates turning a blind eye to reality. It means acknowledging that tough circumstances don’t dictate our ultimate outcome.

Christina: The name eat GANGSTER is memorable, unexpected, and playful. What inspired it, and what did you want people to feel when they first encountered the brand?

Kerry: Coming up with the name was one of the hardest parts of building the company. We wanted to communicate so many things at once: that our products were free from many of the most common inflammatory ingredients, that they were empowering, and that they were created for people searching for answers.
One night, while brainstorming (and breastfeeding my then 18 month old), the word “gangster” kept appearing as I played with the initials of the concepts we were trying to communicate. The more we sat with it, the more it felt right. We knew many of our customers would be strong women advocating for themselves and their families. We loved the juxtaposition of a bold, unexpected name paired with delicate florals. Together, they captured exactly what we wanted the brand to represent: strength and softness, resilience and beauty.

Christina: You serve a community that often feels overlooked by traditional food companies. What have your customers taught you about resilience, adaptability, and the emotional side of food?

Kerry: Our customers are truly the best part of this business. Every week we hear stories from people whose lives have been impacted by food allergies, autoimmune conditions, or other health challenges. We hear from grandparents whose grandchild was finally able to enjoy birthday cake, and from individuals who have spent years navigating complex health journeys.
What they’ve taught us is that food is never just food. It’s connection. It’s inclusion. It’s feeling normal in moments that matter. Their resilience inspires us every day, and their feedback continually pushes us to improve.

Christina: Food is deeply connected to celebration, family, and belonging. How important was it to create products that allow people to participate fully in those moments?

Kerry: It’s incredibly important. At the same time, one of the unexpected lessons many of us learn when navigating food restrictions is that the food itself isn’t actually the point. When your options become limited, you’re reminded that what truly matters is the people, the conversations, the music, and the reason you’re gathered together in the first place.
Our goal is simply to remove one more barrier so people can participate fully in those moments and focus on what really matters: connection.

Christina: You recently shared that eat GANGSTER mixes are free from the top 14 allergens while remaining Paleo and AIP compliant. How challenging was it to create products that allow people to participate fully in those moments?

Kerry: It was incredibly challenging because there really wasn’t a roadmap. When we started, very few recipes existed that met those standards, and even fewer could be translated into a scalable baking mix.
Ironically, one of my greatest advantages was that I wasn’t a baker. I didn’t have preconceived notions about what ingredients were supposed to do or what ratios had to look like. That allowed me to experiment freely, challenge conventional thinking, and ultimately create products that deliver the taste and experience people are looking for while meeting some of the most rigorous dietary standards available.

Christina: You’ve spoken about the growing body of research connecting inflammation, gut health, and overall wellness. What do you wish more people understood about the relationship between food and health?

Kerry: I wish more people understood how much influence they may have over their own well-being. While food isn’t the answer to every health challenge, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have access to every day. More researchers and practitioners are exploring the connection between nutrition, inflammation, gut health, and overall wellness, and the findings are fascinating. I’ve learned so much from Heather on this front, as she is a certified Functional Nutritional Therapist.
What excites me most is the possibility that small, intentional changes can sometimes create meaningful improvements in how we feel. If there’s an opportunity to support our health through the foods we choose, that’s worth exploring. And if we can make that journey delicious and enjoyable along the way, even better.

Christina: In many ways, your company sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship and advocacy. Do you see yourself as a founder first, or an educator?

Kerry: It has to be both. Entrepreneurship gives us the vehicle to create products that solve real problems, but education is what helps people understand why those solutions matter. Every day we’re helping people discover the connection between food and how they feel, contributing to a broader cultural storytelling that is essential in a city rich with Charleston history. If we can create products that bring joy while also empowering people to make informed choices about their health, then we’re fulfilling both roles.

Christina: You recently received investment support through Beemok Capital’s Catalyst initiative. What does it mean to grow a nationally recognized company while remaining rooted in Charleston?

Kerry: It’s incredibly meaningful. Charleston is more than where our business is headquartered; it’s now home. My family landed in Charleston in the midst of Covid (after 17 years in Manhattan), and it was a soft landing. To receive investment from a Charleston based organization, one as reputable as Beemok, that is committed to fostering local entrepreneurship is so encouraging. We’re proud to be building a company with national reach while continuing to contribute to the growth and innovation happening right here in Charleston, a place renowned for its rich culture that is often illustrated in publications like Peninsula Magazine.

Christina: As you expand into universities, healthcare systems, and food service partnerships with institutions like Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame, how do you maintain the mission that inspired the company from the beginning?

Kerry: The mission actually becomes clearer as we grow. Whether we’re serving one family through our website or thousands of students through a university dining program, the goal is the same: making sure people with food allergies, sensitivities, or special dietary needs feel included. Every opportunity we pursue is measured against that mission. Growth is exciting, but only if it helps us serve more people in meaningful ways.

Christina: For someone who has just received a diagnosis and suddenly feels overwhelmed by dietary restrictions, what would you want them to know?

Kerry: First, I’d tell them they’re not alone. It can feel overwhelming in the beginning because you’re focused on everything you can no longer have. But over time, that perspective shifts. You begin discovering new foods, new routines, and often a deeper understanding of what helps your body thrive. What initially feels restrictive can become incredibly empowering. Start small, be patient with yourself, and remember that healing is a journey, not a destination.

Christina: What has surprised you most about the growth of eat GANGSTER?

Kerry: The depth of connection we’ve built with our customers. We expected people to appreciate the products, but we didn’t anticipate how willing they would be to share their stories with us. As I shared, we hear from people whose children are eating birthday cake for the first time, from individuals managing chronic illness, and from families finding joy around the table again. Those stories remind us that we’re not simply selling baking mixes; we’re helping create experiences that matter.

Christina: Of all your baking mixes, which product best captures the heart of the brand and why?

Kerry: The Sugar Cookie Mix probably captures the heart of eat GANGSTER better than any other product. It was one of our very first mixes and remains one of our most loved because it’s so easy and versatile. Customers use it for everything from traditional cookies and cookie cakes to fruit crumbles, bars, and even savory pot pies. That creativity reflects what our brand is all about taking perceived limitations and turning them into possibilities.

Christina: Your Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble and Key Lime Pie Squares have become seasonal favorites. What role does nostalgia play in the recipes you create?

Kerry: Nostalgia is incredibly important because food is tied so closely to memory. A certain flavor or aroma can instantly transport us back to a family gathering, a holiday, or a favorite childhood experience. One of the most rewarding things we hear from customers is that they’re able to recreate cherished family recipes using our mixes. When someone tells us they’ve brought a beloved tradition back to the table after years of feeling excluded, that’s incredibly meaningful.

Christina: What role does joy play in healing?

Kerry: I think joy and hope are deeply connected to healing. While food can certainly support physical wellness, healing is about much more than what happens biologically. It’s about connection, celebration, purpose, and believing that better days are possible. Joy gives us something to move toward. When people can gather around a table, share a meal, and participate fully in life’s moments, that creates a kind of healing that goes beyond nutrition.

 catalyst for something beautiful. I hope people remember feeling included, celebrated, and hopeful. Ultimately, I hope our legacy is a reminder that people are far stronger, more resilient, and more capable of healing than they often realize.