Meet, Lena Dabish of Clean Eats , Michigan. Her incredible business just celebrated 11 years! Clean Eats is a custom meal prep company offering over 35+ unique meals. Lena does all this while raising her two boys in West Bloomfield. Thank you Lena for sharing not only your amazing business but your family and how you do it all.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
I have two boys – Xander (4) and my stepson, Brycen (12). They’re the light of my life and the reason I work so hard!
Where do your kids go to school? We attend a private school in West Bloomfield.
You started your own brick and mortar, Clean Eats Mi. Tell us more about it and what made you open a place like this?
We just celebrated our 11th year in business! Clean Eats is a custom meal prep company offering 35+ unique meals as well as pre-cooked proteins by the pound, healthy salads, snacks and much more. I started Clean Eats after my own health journey over a decade ago. In 2009, I weighed over 300 pounds because I cared more about my social life and working. I knew my lifestyle wouldn’t sustain me so I decided to work with a trainer who encouraged me to change my life. Seeing him (Guy Monarch) on a regular basis lead me to eating healthy and with his encouragement and lots of help from family and friends, Clean Eats was born!
Nutritious food is so important yet so hard to find sometimes. When you say Clean, tell us more about the ingredients you use:
Our kitchen is completely from scratch – we source premium Amish chicken, beef, seafood and fresh veggies, organic when available. Having healthy food at the ready is simply the best way to keep your nutrition in check.
What sets you apart from others in the clean eating category?
All of our pre-ordered meals are fully customizable based on diet or preference. We also just launched our new business model, Clean Eats To Go! Located right next to our kitchen on Commerce Road in West Bloomfield, Clean Eats to go offers almost our entire menu (plus more!) stocked daily in grab n go coolers. Guests can walk in, grab what they’d like and self check-out. It’s only been open a few weeks but it’s revolutionized our business. We’re so honored for the opportunity to serve fresh, healthy meals to our community.
What are some of the offerings you have? I know you deliver and would love for our moms to learn more.
That’s the beauty of Clean Eats – it’s healthy meals on your terms. We’re offering our 5 meal for $50 plan which is the best way to get started. We also have pre-measured chicken, beef, starch and veggies by the pound which is great for busy families. We deliver within 25 miles of our kitchen in West Bloomfield every Monday and Tuesday. Grab n Go is open six days a week.
What was the hardest start to your business?
In short… EVERYTHING! Everything from sourcing to labor to vendor partnerships was difficult to navigate but we made it happen. Of course there have been many hurdles along the road but we’re so proud of where we are today.
Tell us a fun fact about you?
I’m an ex party girl turned MOM and business owner. In my old days, I used to go to Vegas with my friends many times a year. I still hold on to those roots but channel my party energy into growing my business and setting a healthy example for my family.
What made you decide to raise your family here?
I’m Michigan born and raised. I’m Chaldean and have many, many family members in the area. I met my husband Bryan about 10 years ago and we couldn’t imagine raising our family anywhere else!
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the summer?
We take full advantage of Michigan summers – baseball games, visiting Up North and spending lots of time grilling with family.
What do you do to balance your own life and motherhood? What do you do for “me” time? Juggling your own business and kids is always hardwork.
My “me time” is my weekly manicures (yes, I make time for weekly manicures) and spending time in the gym with my first and forever personal trainer, Guy Monarch and Powerhouse Gym.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband and our parents. It truly takes a village!
Visit: https://cleaneatsmi.com
Instagram: @clean_eats_mi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatsFreshFieldMeats
Email: [email protected]
