By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Less than two years after launching her tea business, Jill Stephens has outgrown deliveries and has opened a storefront in downtown Hays.
Stephens is a Colby native and the owner of Prairie Nutrition, now based in Hays, which is a rapidly growing health drink and wellness business inspired by her personal health journey and background as a college athlete.
"I really want to help the Hays community be healthy, think about wellness and make good choices," Stephens said.
Prairie Nutrition has operated as a delivery service and opened its storefront last week at 705 Fort St., the former location of the Fasarms gun shop.
During her fifth year of college basketball, Stephens said she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system creates antibodies that mistakenly attack the thyroid gland.
"Some of my symptoms are having no energy. I have to take naps all the time, especially playing college basketball. I was always napping ... even if I slept 12 hours, I would still be tired," she said.
Stephens said the diagnosis led her to focus more heavily on hydration, nutrition and wellness. Before being diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, she said she drank a gallon of milk a day but later stopped because of concerns about inflammation.
Stephens said she does not like drinking water and previously relied on milk to stay hydrated. Looking for another option, she turned to Evolve Nutrition in Salina.
"My friend told me to come by because I was struggling with my autoimmune issues and because I'm not drinking water, I was severely dehydrated. She made me this drink and I was obsessed ever since then," she said.
Stephens said the owner of Evolve Nutrition helped her start her own business, which she later brought from Colby to Hays. She made her Downtown Hays Market debut last year following the closure of Hays Nutrition.
Stephens had already been filling orders before that point, but she said the market and additional promotion helped attract more customers, especially through social media.
"I like when people post my drinks because that's the best way to advertise for me. Most of my customers are on social media," she said.
Prairie Nutrition offers more than 300 tea flavors, along with collagen drinks, hydration drinks and weekly wellness coaching services, which can be found here. While playing college basketball, Stephens earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science, fitness and wellness with a minor in chemistry before completing a Master of Business Administration.
Stephens said her drinks are made using Herbalife products and ingredients. She also works as a distributor. Most drinks are sugar-free and contain about 40 calories. She often delivers more than 40 drinks a day by herself.
Her summer menu includes Poolside Punch, Palm Beach, Sun Kissed, Bikini Bottom and Heat Wave. A full list of flavors can be found here.
Prairie Nutrition's storefront also offers meal replacement shakes and provides a space for customers to connect, energize, hydrate and relax. Customers can place orders through an online form, text message, Instagram or Facebook.
Stephens said deliveries are scheduled around her availability and pop-up events, with customers selecting preferred delivery times and locations such as homes, schools and offices.
Stephens thanked the Hays community, her customers and other businesses that have supported her along the way.