Owner, Founder + CEO | Perk Energy, Vineyard
When Rena Doman fell into a deep depression years ago, one sunshine-y glimmer each morning was a “hug in a mug” that her husband would bring to her in bed. She wanted to share this cozy comfort with others, which brought Perk to the shelves. Since Perk’s founding in 2016, Rena and her husband have been filling the cups of others — literally. The duo has been working form home since Day One, and when the weather is nice, will even work from the patio! And while the sippin’ business is fun, Rena and her husband put family as their number one priority.
SHOULDERING THE LOAD
“My husband and I have a blended family of seven kids and five grandkids. Our family is everything to us! Almost every single one of them has been involved with our company, from deep emotional support and all the hugs to packing orders in the basement when we first started to helping at events. They understand the challenges that running a small business include, but they also know that they come first.
“I also believe that true balance means including things that have nothing to do with your business or family — your passion/peace projects. For me it is teaching yoga, opportunities I’ve had in our church to serve the youth, and being the big sister to a family of seven kids.”
A STEP AT A TIME
“I started the summer after graduation working at a title & escrow company. By the time I was 25, I was managing a title company branch and juggling my growing family. My husband and I moved to Arizona and I took over an escrow company branch there. I started to realize that this time of my life and my little kids’ lives was too precious to sacrifice. We moved back to Utah a few years later and I took that time to dive into my family’s life.
“Soon after, I found myself being a single mom and was so grateful for the experience that allowed me to jump back in at an escrow company again. Those years of experience helped me to be ready for the big decision we had when we started Perk. The greatest source of accurate information for you and your customers and your business is your own intuition! We just need to practice trusting ourselves more.”
BRAINSTORM
“Perk was originally designed by my husband (aka Mr. Perk) to be presented to a major outdoor retailer as an energy drink that could be made around the campfire. We had a sample batch made, and while we were waiting for the presentation date, I fell into a deep depression as the grief from my previous husband’s death took over. My husband so lovingly bought me a mug every morning in bed. It was this moment of, ‘You are loved, you can do this!’ I wanted to share the simplicity and power of that gesture with everyone I loved. Within the next few years, I ended up walking away from my 20+ year career to work on Perk full time. A few years later, my husband left his 25+ year career to join me full time. We never ended up taking that meeting to pitch the drink to the retailer.”
GIVE HER A HAND
“It was our dream goal to get into Costco, and we spent four years actively working on our shot and growing to the level they wanted. We recently broke records at our first Costco roadshow. Watch for a big announcement soon! We are overwhelmed by the love and support from our community.
“Our Energy line is our core product. We have over 20 flavors, but my true favorite is our new Perk Chill Chocolate Raspberry. It has protein, collagen, magnesium, zinc and the amino acid glycine. I’m such a sucker for a treat at night and it satisfies all those cravings while also helping me relax and deepen my sleep, and the flavor is chocolate-y heaven. I’m so in love with it!”