Zaadz.com Gets Investment from Whole Foods CEO
4/3/07 – Topanga-based Zaadz.com, an online social networking site, last week announced that John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, Inc., has invested in the company.
Brian Johnson, Zaadz CEO, describes the company as “a social networking site that's all about changing the world by inspiring and empowering people to live at their highest potential.”
Johnson says that to date, the site has drawn nearly 50,000 members, with more than 3.6 million page views and 1.2 million visitors per month. It was founded by Johnson and a friend in late 2004.
Johnson, who previously founded Eteamz.com, sees a clear target market for the Zaadz social networking offering.
“We’re serving ‘seekers’ looking to improve their lives as well as the ‘conscious entrepreneurs’ who serve them, people like local veggie restaurant owners, yoga teachers, life coaches and massage therapists,” said Johnson. “From a revenue perspective, we're excited about aggregating a typically fragmented market. LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) numbers are skyrocketing with the rising interest in health and well-being and green living, but because the market transcends demographics, it can be difficult for businesses and advertisers alike to reach interested consumers.”
Outside investment previous to Whole Foods’ Mackey has been limited to friends and family.
“Zaadz is a mission-driven business of young, idealistic entrepreneurs passionate about changing the world,” said Mackey. “I love the way the company is striving to integrate the ideals of conscious capitalism into its business at such a nascent stage and I’m looking forward to seeing the business evolve and catalyze true change in the world.”
Zaadz says it is using this round of funding to roll out “zPro”—what it describes as a suite of tools for small business owners meant to empower conscious entrepreneurs by helping them develop communities around their brands, and growing relationships with clients and customers.
Zaadz - www.zaadz.com
