Issei Mochi Gummies Celebrates Two Years!
Dear Issei Family,
Today, we’re celebrating our 2nd birthday, and our hearts are bursting with gratitude and joy!
Two years ago, Issei was just a dream born in my kitchen. Frustrated with the artificial candies my kids were always asking for—full of synthetic colors, flavors, and gelatin—I decided to create something healthier and more delightful: mochi gummies. I took inspiration from traditional Japanese mochi cakes and transformed them into a new, exciting treat. Little did I know this little idea would grow into something as incredible as it has.
We kicked off our journey with an exclusive launch with Whole Foods Market, and now, our mochi gummies can be found in over 2,000 stores, from Albertsons and Walmart to Sprouts and Raley’s. We proudly pioneered the Asian-inspired rice/tapioca-based gummy candy, carving out a sweet new space in a market dominated by gelatin-based options. Our mission has always been to craft delicious snacks inspired by our heritage, build connections through food, and champion diversity in the snack aisle.
Reaching this milestone is no small feat, especially for a startup navigating the complexities of the food industry, and even more so for a women-owned, minority-owned company. The path has been filled with challenges, lessons, and growth pains, but every hurdle has made us stronger. Today, I’m thrilled to say we’ve overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, and we’re ready to embrace the future with excitement and optimism.
I’m deeply grateful to our small but mighty Issei team, whose dedication and hard work bring this vision to life every day. We are set for the next chapter, brimming with fresh ideas, delicious innovations, and delightful surprises just for you.
To our wonderful Issei community: thank you for your unwavering support, loyalty, and enthusiasm. You are the heartbeat of our brand—the creativity-sparking, delicious-loving, planet-kind, diversity-forward, magic-seeking kin we cherish deeply.
Here’s to celebrating our 2nd birthday and to many more years of shared joy and mochi magic. Your support keeps our passion alive and fuels our drive for even greater things.
With all our heartfelt thanks,
Mika Shino
Founder of Issei
