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The idea for 7 Summits Snacks started on the trails. As endurance athletes, sisters Kristyn and Leanna Carriere wanted fuel that was simple, satisfying, and made with ingredients that didn't leave them feeling ill. They turned that idea into something tangible — chocolate that can fuel adventurous lifestyles like their own.
The company's products come in two formats: an award-winning 80g Superfood-infused chocolate bar and their flagship 31g Chocolate Energy Bar. Both bars are blended with superfoods from the continent they are inspired by, such as the Everest Bar that combines Goji berries and Himalayan salt for performance benefits.
Specifically, the 31g Energy Bar has added functional ingredients such as coconut oil and Alberta honey, based on Kristyn's scientific understanding of nutrition, to create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth fuelling experience for athletes. "A lot of protein and energy bars on the market are very tedious to eat when you're active," Kristyn explained. "The coconut oil helps it melt in your mouth so you can focus on moving forward."
Customers can buy the bars online, through independent retailers, and via distributors that supply grocery and natural health stores. The brand targets outdoor and athletic consumers, with partnerships with specialty chains like MEC and Running Room helping to reach them where they shop.
Export was part of the vision from the very beginning, shaped by Kristyn's experience working at Mondelez International and Godiva in the U.K. and Belgium, respectively. "I had a feeling from the very beginning that this company had a global appeal to it," she recalled.
That international growth accelerated after Kristyn received a Stacey's Rise Project grant in 2023 and recruited a U.S. sales lead. The team also invested in The Running Event trade show to build a buyer network and understand purchasing norms. Early traction includes placements in Colorado, New Mexico, and Minnesota, with the Pacific Northwest next on the list.
Today, about 10% of sales come from U.S. e-commerce and independent gear and running stores, but Kristyn expects that to grow quickly after a few successful trade missions supported by the Trade Commission Service and Export Development officers in Alberta Agriculture. "Over the next three years, to get to even a 50/50 split would be amazing," she said.
Learn more about how the Trade Accelerator Program and NAIT's Centre for Culinary Innovation have helped set up 7 Summits Snacks for success.
The Trade Heroes series from Edmonton Global highlights companies in the Edmonton region that have "exportitude" — the mindset and commitment to think globally when it comes to their business.