Hidden Gems: Meet Veronica Cardenas of Dr. C Vitamins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Cardenas

Hi Veronica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am the founder of Dr C. Vitamins, a wellness brand dedicated to improving quality of life with pharmaceutical grade and medically endorsed vitamins, CBD and other wellness products. Before devoting my work fulltime to wellness, I received a degree at Parsons School of Design, and worked in the fashion industry for over 20 years. I worked for high-profile designers like Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, and owned a multi-brand showroom in New York, Los Angeles and Paris. Though I loved NYC and my career, the long hours and high stress environments took a hard toll on my body both inside and out. Even though I considered myself healthy, I ran the NYC marathon and ate well, the constant stress, overwhelming exhaustion and lack of sleep caused me to faint. I hit my head on the cement floor and it knocked some sense into me. It was an epiphany moment and knew my life needed to change. Diagnostic blood test results showed that I was deficient in several vitamin categories and my hormones levels were all over the place. After researching and meeting with several physicians I discovered high quality vitamins and also the benefits of incorporating a plant-based diet. This combination along with continuing to exercise changed my life. My health and quality of life improved in immeasurable ways. I no longer take any prescription drugs, my energy and focus returned, my skin looked healthier than it ever has, and I was in the best shape of my life. 6 months later the follow-up diagnostic blood test came back and my numbers were optimal! But more importantly I felt AMAZING! I made a commitment to move from NYC to Austin after 24 year and change my career to launch Dr. C Vitamins. I went back to school for integrative nutrition, and decided to partner with physicians and wellness experts to curate the most essential supplements and wellness products. Creating a simplified approach to providing exactly what is needed to maintain healthy living continues to be the focus. Many supplement companies use poor raw material selection and dosing that is below the needed therapeutic levels. Unlike over-the-counter vitamins, our supplements are manufactured without commonly found synthetic ingredients and are tested for quality, potency, and purity. They are manufactured under the same guidelines as prescription drugs in FDA-registered facilities that follow Certified Good Manufacturing Practices protocol. Dr. C is a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels, a leading non-profit that offers health and nutrition to 61 million children in more than 74 countries around the world. When a customer purchases Dr. C Vitamins they provided a mother and child with vitamins for a full year, improving the health of families everywhere. I will continue to rotate partnerships with other non-profit organization and believe that giving back is part of our DNA.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Changing career paths, starting a new business and moving from NYC has been challenging. I left my friends, the city I love and a 20 + year career to start over again. The transition was scary but luckily, I was moving to Austin so knew that with patience I would love it. A healthy mind and body were my motivating factor, and realized that in order to move on with every aspect of my life, I needed the change. Now that I am settled and feeling my best, I have no doubt that moving here for a fresh start was the best decision I have made in a long time. I’ve noticed that throughout my life when I am faced with struggles, they usually seem bigger than they really are so I will usually try and solve problems creatively, be objective oriented, persistent and then just take a chance and go for it. The majority of the time it was worth the risk so taking those chances becomes easier as time goes on.

We’ve been impressed with Dr. C Vitamins, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Vitamins are not regulated by the FDA, so it’s hard to know what companies are offering high quality supplements. It’s not always clear which ones are a waste of money or potentially dangerous. Dr. C Vitamins offers Pharmaceutical grade + Medically endorsed supplements that are third party tested, and made with the highest quality, purity and efficacy. My design background was helpful when developing the brand. I was always so overwhelmed when walking down the vitamin aisle at Whole Foods. Too many options, and they all look the same. My goal was to simplify the options to the most essential vitamins and design the packaging to stand out with bright colors, and bold numbers. I am really excited about Vitalube the first addition to the vitamin range. I developed a personal moisturizing lubricant with a Gynecologist that is all natural and contains vitamin E as well as nine essential oils. I was surprised to know that his patients were using drugstore lubricants that are synthetic and include multiple fillers. I tested the product with his patients before selling online and cannot keep them in stock. Vitalube with CBD will be available soon online. Dr. C is a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels, a leading non-profit that offers health and nutrition to 61 million children in more than 74 countries around the world. When a customer purchases Dr. C Vitamins they provided a mother and child with vitamins for a full year, improving the health of families everywhere. I will continue to rotate partnerships with other non-profit organization and believe that giving back is important and see it as part of the DNA of the brand. Taking these supplements changed my life so I’m passionate about helping you achieve optimal health.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories was going to the hospital with my dad to see him deliver babies. As an OBGYN I remember him always being on call during major holidays. I will never forget his beeper going off at the xmas midnight mass service and everyone staring at him. I was so excited because I knew that loud beep meant he had a patient in labor and I was going to beg him to take me with him. We left church, went to the hospital and a few hours later he delivered a healthy baby girl. I was in awe of him bringing a baby into the world on xmas, and in my eyes, he was way better than Santa. His work ethic and bedside manner is so admirable. I grew up with my dad going back and forth to the hospital to deliver babies and then waking up to see patients all day. He taught me the value of hard work and giving back to others.

Pricing:

• No. 1 / multi-vitamin $29
• No. 13 / Probiotic – $37
• VITALUBE – $18
• Pillbox – $19

Contact Info:

• Email: veronica@drcvitamins.com
• Website: www.drcvitamins.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcvitamins/