Brewing Success: How Llance Kezner Turned a Kitchen Creation into a National Brand

A 12-Year Journey of Innovation, Passion, and Impact in the Food Industry

In this episode of I Know A Guy, I had the pleasure of interviewing Llance Kezner, the co-founder and owner of Keep Life Tasty. Llance’s journey is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, taking a kitchen experiment during the COVID-19 pandemic and transforming it into a product that now sits on Walmart shelves across the nation. With a mission to help people manage stress and anxiety through innovative plant-based food and beverage products, Llance's story is one of creativity, resilience, and purpose.

From Home Kitchen to National Recognition

Keep Life Tasty began with a simple need. Llance’s wife, a teacher, wanted a healthy, savory snack to enjoy between classes. This need sparked the creation of Millie’s Sipping Broth, a convenient, tea-bag-style broth made with herbs, spices, and dehydrated vegetables. What started as a homemade solution quickly gained traction, and the couple realized they had something unique.

Within 90 days, they moved out of their kitchen and began selling their product at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, just across from the original Starbucks. The journey wasn’t without challenges, but Llance emphasized the importance of focusing on two key aspects early on: getting people to buy the product and finding scalable production solutions.

Helping People Pause and Savor Life

Millie’s Sipping Broth is more than just a product; it’s an experience. Llance shared how the act of steeping and sipping the broth encourages people to take a moment to slow down, breathe, and enjoy. This intentional ritual not only provides a comforting snack but also helps people manage their daily stress.

“Our goal is to create innovative products that impact lives,” Llance explained. “Millie’s Sipping Broth gives people a simple way to find peace during their day, with flavors that remind them of home.”

Lessons from 12 Years of Entrepreneurship

Llance reflected on the hard-won lessons from over a decade in the food and beverage industry. One of the most valuable pieces of advice he received early on was not to try to produce the product himself. Instead, he focused on finding professional manufacturers to ensure quality and scalability.

“The biggest challenge isn’t making a product,” Llance said. “It’s selling it and getting people to buy it over and over again.”

Llance also highlighted the importance of creating a minimum viable product (MVP) quickly, finding a market for it, and listening to customer feedback to refine the offering.

Building a Legacy Through Partnership and Recognition

Keep Life Tasty’s success has been fueled by strategic partnerships and industry recognition. Collaborations with organizations like Weight Watchers during the pandemic helped propel the brand to new heights. Their zero-point rating from Weight Watchers introduced the product to millions, and it became the best-selling vegetable broth on Amazon during that time.

In addition to these partnerships, Llance and his team have won multiple prestigious awards from the Specialty Food Association, solidifying their reputation as innovators in the industry.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those looking to break into the competitive world of consumer-packaged goods, Llance offered this advice:

1. Start Small and Validate Your Idea – Create an MVP, get it to market quickly, and focus on the value it provides to customers.

2. Find Professional Support – Partner with experts to handle production so you can focus on marketing and growth.

3. Stay Resilient – Entrepreneurship is a long journey, and success requires a willingness to adapt, learn, and persevere.

Where to Find Keep Life Tasty

Millie’s Sipping Broth is available online at sippingbroth.com, Amazon, and select Walmart locations across the country. You can use their store locator to find a retailer near you.

Final Thoughts

Llance’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion meets innovation. Keep Life Tasty has not only created a unique product but also cultivated a meaningful experience for its customers.

Watch the Full Interview Here to Learn More!