Tag Archives: CEO Jay Cohen

IQ Formulations Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Jackson Center for Conductive Education through Charitable Donation

IQ Formulations Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Jackson Center for Conductive Education through Charitable Donation

IQ Formulations, an industry-leading provider of health and nutritional supplements, today announced its donation to the Jackson Center for Conductive Education in honor of the organization’s tenth anniversary. Established in July 2005, the Jackson Center for Conductive Education is dedicated to helping equip motor-challenged children and adults with the best possible physical abilities and confidence to attain the highest quality of independent life.

The Jackson Center uses a conductive education approach, which is a system of learning that focuses on improving the skills of people diagnosed with motor disorders stemming from disease or damage to the central nervous system. Using this method, participants motor skills are developed through repetition, peer interaction, and positive reinforcement – ultimately creating new connections that link thoughts with physical actions.

“The Jackson Center for Conductive Education is comprised of truly skilled doctors and compassionate teachers that have improved the lives of countless individuals, including my beloved nephew Jacob,” said IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen. “Supporting the Jackson Center on its tenth anniversary is a meaningful honor for both my family and company. We hope to see Jacob and other children and adults continue to flourish as a result of their caring and innovative therapy and education.”

IQ Formulations supports the Jackson Center’s devotion to fostering a loving environment in which its patients can thrive. For ten years, the Center’s positive atmosphere has inspired children to achieve emotional security, a sense of ambition, and individual creativity. As the Jackson Center commemorates its first decade, IQ Formulations encourages the community to support the Center’s highly effective educational programs and life-changing activities.

In addition to the Jackson Center for Conductive Education, IQ Formulations remains dedicated to providing philanthropic support to other charities that help prevent and treat significant health challenges. These include: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Camp Fiesta, the Wounded Warrior Project, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Humane Association.

With an outstanding philanthropic track record, top-quality products, state-of-the-art facilities, unparalleled customer service and industry-leading standards, IQ Formulations has established a nationwide reputation for excellence in the health supplement industry.

Learn more about IQ Formulations: http://iqformulations.wpengine.com.

Learn more about the Jackson Center for Conductive Education: http://www.thejacksoncenter.org.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Tamarac, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at iqformulations.com.

IQ Formulations Supports Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research During Parkinson’s Awareness Month

IQ Formulations Supports Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research During Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Sunrise, FL (PRWEB) April 28, 2015

IQ Formulations today announced its generous donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to help fund research to find a cure, while also raising awareness, during Parkinson’s Awareness Month this April.

For IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, supporting the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is a deeply personal cause. “My grandfather, who was as strong as an Oak tree, was stricken down by this debilitating disease,” stated Cohen. “Supporting the Michael J. Fox Foundation helps me honor my grandfather’s memory by helping others who currently face the challenges associated with Parkinson’s disease.”

Since April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Jay Cohen felt it was an opportune time to encourage and inspire others in the community to support this vital organization’s commitment to finding a cure for Parkinson’s through aggressively funded research and development of improved therapies for people diagnosed with the disease. Since 2000, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has funded more than $450 million toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease, and IQ Formulations is proud to be a philanthropic contributor to this critical initiative.

IQ Formulations is renowned for its ongoing charitable support of multiple other respected non-profit organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warriors, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Humane Association. These charities, among many others, are profoundly important to CEO Jay Cohen, his employees, and the overall core values of IQ Formulations.

The company prides itself on leading the nutritional supplement industry by example, not only in its charitable endeavors, but also with its top-quality products, outstanding facilities, unparalleled customer service and commitment to exceeding standards.

Learn more about IQ Formulations: http://iqformulations.wpengine.com.

Learn more about the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: http://www.michaeljfox.org/.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Sunrise, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at iqformulations.com.

Leading South Florida Outlets Spotlight IQ Formulations Following 2016 DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Award

Following IQ Formulations’ recent recognition as a winner of the 2016 DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Awards by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the company was spotlighted in both the South Florida Business Journal and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The leading area publications highlighted IQ Formulations’ success as an industry leader and the only South Florida company to receive this esteemed award.

Learn more in the recently issued press release below:

 

IQ Formulations Spotlighted in South Florida Business Journal and Sun Sentinel Following 2016 DREAM Big Blue Ribbon Award

 Tamarac, FL, March 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Top health and nutritional supplement company IQ Formulations was highlighted by the South Florida Business Journal and the South Florida Sun Sentinel this February, after the company was announced as a 2016 DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Award winner by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Tamarac-based company was the only South Florida business to receive this highly regarded recognition.

The South Florida Business Journal’s piece, published on February 19, spotlighted both IQ Formulations and its CEO Jay Cohen whose strategic vision has propelled the company to become a recognized leader in the industry. In his interview with SFBJ reporter Emon Reiser, Cohen also shared the company’s plans to expand its product line and nearly double its workforce and operations by the end of 2016.

In its article from February 23, the South Florida Sun Sentinel highlighted IQ Formulations as one of just five companies statewide and the only business from South Florida to receive this award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As the piece from reporter Miriam Valverde notes, this recognition also puts IQ Formulations in the running for the national DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, which will be announced during the 12th annual America’s Small Business Summit (June 13-15) in Washington D.C. where all 100 Blue Ribbon winners will be honored.

“I would like to thank both the South Florida Business Journal and the Sun Sentinel for highlighting this latest accolade for IQ Formulations,” said Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations CEO. “It is truly an honor to have your hard work and awards spotlighted in leading area publications.”

Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations CEO is known for his innovative business approach as he leads the supplement industry by example. With state-of-the-art facilities, premier quality control processes and a focus on customer service, IQ Formulations is widely recognized not only for business excellence, but also for its numerous philanthropic initiatives.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and fastest growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Tamarac, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at iqformulations.com

IQ Formulations Brings Springtime Hope to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

IQ Formulations Brings Springtime Hope to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Sunrise, FL (PRWEB) April 14, 2015

IQ Formulations, an industry-leading provider of health and nutritional supplements, is bringing renewed hope and joy to children at St. Jude Children’s Hospital this spring with generous donations planned for the coming months and throughout 2015. A longtime supporter of St. Jude Children’s Hospital, IQ Formulations is committed to supporting the hospital’s pediatric and research facility to help treat and find cures for children with cancer and other serious diseases.

“I’ve always believed that the beauty and innocence of the world lives within our children, which is why supporting St. Jude Children’s Hospital has special personal meaning for me,” said IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen. “St. Jude provides compassionate caring to children worldwide in need of treatment for cancer and other severe diseases, who otherwise might be left without help, at no cost to the patients or their families. To me, that is the true definition of giving, and clearly reflects the values of IQ Formulations.”

IQ Formulations remains dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Hospital, having been an ongoing supporter of the organization for years. The company also encourages other corporate entities and individuals to give to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to help save the lives of the pediatric patients treated there.

In addition to its philanthropic dedication to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, IQ Formulations also provides ongoing charitable donations and support to several highly-regarded charities whose missions are near and dear to CEO Jay Cohen and the company’s employees. These non-profit agencies include Wounded Warriors, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Humane Association, among many others.

With top-quality products, outstanding facilities, unparalleled customer service and industry-leading standards, IQ Formulations had established a nationwide reputation for excellence in health and nutritional supplements. Last year, the company was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies in the country.

Learn more about IQ Formulations at http://iqformulations.wpengine.com.

Learn more about St. Jude Children’s Hospital at http://www.stjude.org.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Sunrise, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at iqformulations.com.

IQ Formulations Applauds GNC for Enhancing Its Testing and Quality Control Processes for Herbal Supplements

IQ Formulations Applauds GNC for Enhancing Its Testing and Quality Control Processes for Herbal Supplements

Sunrise, FL (PRWEB) April 01, 2015

IQ Formulations, one of the most highly regarded and fastest growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S., today is commending GNC for taking steps to boost and expand the testing and quality control standards for its herbal supplements.* GNC vowed that its new processes will look deeper into the supply chain to ensure the accuracy of labeling on its products.

In response to this week’s news, industry veteran andIQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen said:

“In a lightly-regulated industry where companies often take the ‘get rich quick’ view with little thought to the repercussions, it is truly a breath of fresh air to see GNC taking proactive steps to implement enhanced testing procedures that protect consumers. At IQ Formulations, we also believe in investing the time and the money to do things the right way in order to provide top-quality products that improve people’s quality of life. Doing so not only benefits our customers and our company, but elevates the industry as a whole.”

IQ Formulations works with some of the top distributors and retailers in the nation, and has quickly become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, superior products and excellent customer service. Using only top-quality ingredients and highly calibrated formulations built for success, IQ Formulations rigorously tests all of its supplements to ensure unbeatable products that deliver maximum results for consumers.

The company is committed to raising the bar for nutritional and health supplements—leading by example, setting new standards, and demanding better of the industry overall. IQ Formulations also aims to elevate standards for ethics and professionalism within the nutritional supplement industry and has a deep dedication to giving back through various community and charitable initiatives.

Last year, IQ Formulations was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies in the country after demonstrating an incredible 5,486 percent growth since 2010.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran Jay Cohen and headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, IQ Formulations has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service.

*GNC boosts quality control of herbal supplements, 3/30/15, money.cnn.com/2015/03/30/news/gnc-herbal-supplement-agreement/

IQ Formulations Shares the Love This Valentine’s Day with Donations to the American Humane Association

IQ Formulations Shares the Love This Valentine’s Day with Donations to the American Humane Association

Sunrise, FL (PRWEB) February 13, 2015

IQ Formulations, an industry-leading provider of health and nutritional supplements, today announced its continued support of the American Humane Association with generous donations planned throughout the year including this weekend’s Valentine’s Day holiday. Founded and led by CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations believes deeply in the mission of the American Humane Association, and encourages other companies and individuals to also support the organization through donations and pet adoptions.

“As huge animal lovers, we understand the critical and serious nature of pet overpopulation in this country,” said IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen. “Numerous IQ Formulations employees are proud owners of shelter pets, and my own family has three rescue dogs and three rescue cats. But in addition to our personal adoptions, we believe it is important to continue giving to the American Humane Association to help those animals which we cannot take in, to help them get the services they need and to eventually find them permanent homes.”

In addition to the American Humane Association, IQ Formulations gives regularly to a variety of highly respected non-profit organizations whose purposes resonate with the company, its CEO Jay Cohen and its employees. For years, IQ Formulations has supported Wounded Warriors, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and many other groups, while it also continues to explore additional opportunities to get involved with new community and philanthropic initiatives.

With top-quality products, outstanding facilities, unparalleled customer service and industry-leading standards, IQ Formulations had established a nationwide reputation for excellence in health and nutritional supplements. Last year, the company was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies in the country after growing an astonishing 5,486 percent since 2010.

Learn more about IQ Formulations at http://iqformulations.wpengine.com.

Learn more about the American Human Association at http://www.americanhumane.org/.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Sunrise, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at iqformulations.com.

IQ Formulations Contributes Sizeable Donation to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

IQ Formulations Contributes Sizeable Donation to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Sunrise, FL (PRWEB) August 27, 2014

IQ Formulations, a leading manufacturer of health and nutritional supplements, today announced its continued support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For an entire month this summer, IQ Formulations participated in a fundraising campaign led by TigerFitness.com in which 5 percent of the proceeds from all of IQ Formulations’ sales were donated to the respected nonprofit organization.

Last year, IQ Formulations contributed to a TigerFitness.com fundraiser to support Isla, a young girl fighting Cystic Fibrosis. The company was so thankful for the generous donation that it posted a YouTube video thanking IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen.

“We are very excited and honored to continue our contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” said IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen. “At IQ Formulations, we believe in not just doing well as a company, but doing good in the community that surrounds and supports us. We hope that our latest donation will help bring the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation one step closer to finding a cure for this chronic disease affecting the lives of tens of thousands of people.”

Led by CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations has continually displayed a deep dedication to giving back, particularly to charitable organizations that help children. A proud and devoted father of two, Jay loves kids and has dedicated time, effort and money to helping youth struggling with life-threatening disorders and ailments.

In addition to hosting an annual holiday toy drive to benefit the children and families of the nearby Miami Children’s Hospital, IQ Formulations participates in numerous other community and charitable initiatives, including regular donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, ASPCA, the American Red Cross, Wounded Warrior Project, local VA hospitals and other Veterans of America organizations.

Last week, IQ Formulations was honored among Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the country. IQ Formulations not only made the list, but was ranked in the top 50 overall, ninth among health companies, fifth among Florida companies and the second fastest growing company in the Miami metro area.

About IQ Formulations
IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Sunrise, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at iqformulations.com.

IQ Formulations Celebrates the Holidays With Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, ASPCA, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Salvation Army

IQ Formulations Celebrates the Holidays With Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, ASPCA, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Salvation Army

Sunrise, FL (PRWEB) December 20, 2013

Leading nutritional supplement company IQ Formulations today announced that it will contribute holiday donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, ASPCA, Wounded Warrior Project, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and The Salvation Army. Dedicated to giving back to the community, IQ Formulations regularly donates funds to a number of respected charities whose missions resonate with the company.

For many years, IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen and his company have demonstrated an admirable track record of giving back to the community. Founded by U.S. Navy Veteran Murray Cohen, the company is committed to supporting our nation’s veterans and frequently donates to the American Red Cross, local VA hospitals and other Veterans of America organizations, in addition to the charities listed above.

IQ Formulations also regularly supports fundraisers for youth struggling with life-threatening diseases and ailments. IQ Formulations this year is hosting an annual holiday toy drive to benefit the Miami Children’s Hospital, which is currently in its last week of accepting donations. Learn more about the toy drive at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/nutritional-supplements/IQ-Formulations/prweb11430679.htm.

“It is truly a privilege for our company to support these amazing organizations which do such incredible work,” said IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen. “At IQ Formulations, giving back is more than just an afterthought—it’s the way we do business. We always strive to set the bar higher for ourselves and the other companies in our industry through service to our customers, service to our community and a history of meaningful, charitable giving.”

IQ Formulations holds a strong reputation for excellence. The company’s high-quality products, professional facility and superior customer service continue to set new standards in the nutrition and health supplement industry.

IQ Formulations Wins U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently announced IQ Formulations as a winner of its 2016 DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards®. Recognized for its success and contributions to America’s economy, IQ Formulations was the only South Florida company to receive this highly regarded honor.

This prestigious distinction also puts IQ Formulations in the running for the national U.S. Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award, which will be announced in June at the 12th annual America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. where all Blue Ribbon winners will be honored.

Below is a recently issued press release with more information:

 

South Florida’s IQ Formulations Named U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award Winner

 Tamarac, FL, Feb. 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced IQ Formulations of Tamarac, Florida as a winner of its annual DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards®. IQ Formulations was the only South Florida business and one of just five in the state to receive the prestigious distinction, which recognizes 100 nationwide companies for their success and contributions to America’s economic growth and vitality.

IQ Formulations, a fast-growing and highly-respected health and nutritional supplement manufacturer, was selected from a record number of applicants from across the country. Entries were judged on four key categories: strategic planning, employee development, customer service, and community involvement.

The honor enters IQ Formulations into the running for the national DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club®, and a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the U.S. Chamber. This national award will be announced at the 12th annual America’s Small Business Summit, taking place June 13-15 in Washington, D.C. where all DREAM BIG Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners will be honored.

“Small businesses provide a powerful example of what’s possible in our free enterprise system. Day in and day out, these companies exemplify the strong American values of hard work, innovation, persistence, and entrepreneurship,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “The Chamber is proud to recognize these tremendous small businesses for all of their achievements.”

This is the latest in a line of distinguished awards for IQ Formulations. The company has been named to the Inc. 5000 list for the past two years, was recently recognized as the gold, first-place winner in North America’s Best in Biz Awards 2015 and was selected as one of Florida’s Companies to Watch for 2015 by the state’s economic development group GrowFL.

“It is such a remarkable honor to be recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among the top 100 up-and-coming companies in the entire nation,” said IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen. “After years of hard work and a commitment to improving the state of our industry, it’s such a blessing to have the efforts of IQ Formulations recognized. I want to thank the U.S. Chamber, my family, and the incredible team that I work with everyday for making this dream a reality.”

A complete list of this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners is available here.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

About IQ Formulations

IQ Formulations is one of the most highly regarded and quickly growing health and nutritional supplement companies in the U.S. Founded by industry veteran and IQ Formulations CEO Jay Cohen, IQ Formulations is headquartered in Tamarac, Florida. The company has become an industry leader known for its uncompromising commitment to professional facilities, top-quality products with amazing results, and superior customer service. Learn more at www.iqformulations.com.

CEO Jay Cohen and IQ Formulations Featured in Business View Magazine

Top provider of health and nutritional supplements, IQ Formulations, and its CEO Jay Cohen were recently featured in Business View Magazine. The detailed, eight-page-long article highlights the company’s unbelievable growth, as well as Cohen’s unique business philosophy, which has helped make IQ Formulations a leader in its industry.

Read the full article, including quotes from CEO Jay Cohen, below:

http://www.businessviewmagazine.com/digital-magazines/jan-2016/index.html#62

 

IQ Formulations

Engineering smarter products

When Jay Cohen decided to get back into the health and nutritional supplements business, he decided to model his new company, IQ Formulations, after a world famous, Italian luxury sports car manufacturer that, according to the new CEO, “never had a losing year; they’ve always made money.” The same can certainly be said of IQ Formulations, Cohen’s five year-old company that likewise has never had a losing year – and is also making a lot of money.

“When we first started, I looked at other industries to model after,” Cohen explains. “One was the automobile industry. One of the companies that I based my model on was Ferrari. What Ferrari has done that has outpaced every other automobile manufacturer is that it is a vertically integrated company. They pick and choose every single ingredient that goes into making their engine blocks, their pistons, their interior, their exterior – they custom-manufacture their products. And, because they do that, they’re able to put a product on the market that totally outpaces every other manufacturer. And that’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to create a definite distinction between our product line, one that outpaced the competition. In order to do that, we had to develop the same type of vertical integration that Ferrari did.”

Most people probably don’t know much about Ferrari’s corporate structure; but they do know that it makes a very fast car. And if the company’s brand is known for speed, then IQ Formulations is a worthy inheritor of the Ferrari ethos. Cohen’s firm has been on an astonishing trajectory of growth since its inception, going from less than $124,000 in 2010 revenue, to 2015 sales of $20 million, today – a growth rate of 5,486 percent over the last three years. It’s what put IQ Formulations on the Inc. 5000 list in 2014 and again in 2015, as one of the fastest growing companies in the country.

When he approached the starting line back in 2010, IQ Formulations was actually Cohen’s third time around the supplements business track. “I started in 1987, with my father, when he created his company,” he remembers. “I worked on and off for him throughout the years until I left for college and entered back into the industry years later.” Cohen’s first re-entry onto the speedway was not a positive or fulfilling ride. “The whole industry had changed immensely,” he laments. “A lot of the companies had become marketing companies – they weren’t manufacturing companies. There was a lot of emphasis on making the cheapest product possible so that they can maximize their marketing dollars. I was so put off by this; I walked away from the industry and vowed never to return to it.”

However, with the support of friends and family, as well as some encouragement from a few vendors with whom he had long-standing relationships, Cohen returned once again, but this time, he was determined to do things his own way. This time, he would be in the driver’s seat. He began on his own kitchen counter, reformulating products that he knew had a great niche following and high consumer demand. “I started creating formulations and testing the products out. In September 2010, with just ideas in my head and formulations on legal pads, I hired a graphic artist to make a rendering of what my product line would be. I wrote a business plan and I flew out to Las Vegas for the Mr. Olympia contest – one of the biggest expos in my industry – and I was determined to go there and sell my new product line.”

Even though the now true believer had stepped on the accelerator and gone flat out to his own sector’s version of the Indy 500, he was not overly optimistic. “The likelihood of me walking away without an order was highly probable,” he notes. But things turned out a whole lot better than he had anticipated. “To my surprise, the people accepted it with open arms, because it was such a different philosophy, such a different product line. It brought integrity back into the industry that was used to doing business a certain way. Our philosophy was to become a vertically integrated company that would put the research, the development, the manufacturing, and the production all under one roof. It was like a breath of fresh air.”

Cohen believed that by being the Ferrari of the supplements industry, he could bring a better product to the marketplace. But he also knew that, like a Ferrari automobile, a price would have to be paid for his premium, custom-made product. “We felt that consumers were ready for that,” he says. “They were used to buying the $15 and $19.99 protein and, here we are, coming to the marketplace with a protein valued over $40. But, they found out when they drank it, they felt better. When they drank it, they had no intestinal upset or distress. When they drank it, they felt healthier. When they drank it, they lost weight and had more energy. And it transformed that segment of the marketplace within a year.”

Five years after that first victory lap, IQ Formulations no longer operates out of a kitchen, but rather out of a state-of-the-art, $3.5 million, 40,000 square foot manufacturing and packaging facility in Tamarac, Florida, with plans to open a second facility sometime in the not-too-distant future. “When we first started, we had three vendors,” Cohen says. “Now we have 400.” The staff has similarly grown: from two employees – Cohen, himself and a salesman – to 47, today, with people in marketing, customer service, accounting, quality control, production, manufacturing, shipping, and sales. “And even at 47 employees, we still consider ourselves, undermanned,” he quips.

IQ Formulations sells directly to consumers through its website, but has also partnered with a distribution company, Europa Sports Products, which sells its products to general nutrition shops around the country, as well as, dealing directly with large national retailer chains such as Vitamin Shoppe. Currently, the company only ships domestically, but Cohen says that it is planning to expand into Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. “We’ve been controlling our growth because we know that our serviceability and our manufacturing capabilities must match our orders to our clients. And we don’t want to exceed that and then have to make compromises in terms of that.” Compromise is not why Cohen came back into the race. He insists that his product remain consistently reliable. “Our product is the same, each and every time,” he states emphatically. “Consumers know that we’re going to be delivering the same great product day-in and day-out.”

But now that IQ Formulations has gotten the checkered flag in one market segment, Cohen also sees the possibilities for augmenting his company’s product offerings, as well as expanding its consumer base across a broader demographic. He explains: “Our customers are demanding that we go into functional foods. They say, ‘Hey, we want a protein bar; we want an energy drink. Please make that for us, because we know that if you make it, it’ll be better than anything else that’s in the marketplace.’ We’re also going to get into more of what we call mass market, which is developing products that can be purchased at the grocery store and mass market level, like Costco’s or BJs. We want to be able to hit multiple consumers who are looking to purchase the best quality, healthy products to improve and sustain a healthy lifestyle. So, we’re branching out into those marketplaces, starting in the first quarter of 2016.”

Cohen is convinced that his original idea to emulate the Ferrari model has been instrumental in IQ Formulation’s success. “What differentiates my company is the fact that we are a company that is based on research and development that grew into a vertically integrated company that produces what it sells. Like Ferrari, we had to pick and choose our own ingredients; we had to build relationships with our specific vendors that we knew were the pinnacle suppliers of certain ingredients in the industry; we had to build a special relationship with Europa Sports Products to make sure that once our products were done, we could get them in the hands of our consumers faster and easier than anyone else. So, by doing all these things, it became a win-win-win scenario: a win for us, for our resellers, and for our consumers. Everyone who touched the product had an appreciable benefit from it.”

IQ Formulations has further touched its wider community via a vigorous program of charitable giving. The company has an admirable track record of involvement with a variety of respected, non-profit organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Humane Association, the American Red Cross, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The company also hosts an annual holiday toy drive to benefit the children and families at nearby Miami Children’s Hospital.