BACKGROUND
In 2007, when the U.S. Food & Drug Administration ruled that children’s cough syrups were unsafe for kids under the age of four, Dr. Zak Zarbock experienced first-hand the frustration that many of his patients expressed. As a father of four boys, he and his wife would do anything to help their children feel better but struggled with the available options. Zak discovered a compelling clinical trial showing dark honey was effective at calming coughs and sore throats in children and young adults. With help, he created a great-tasting, all-natural, vitamin-enhanced, safe, and very effective product, Zarbee’s All Natural Cough Syrup. Zarbee’s is now found in every major retailer in the country and includes therapies for the entire family.
CHALLENGE
As a startup with limited resources, Zarbee’s had an immediate need to clean up its financials and prepare for an initial outside investment.
SOLUTIONS
Ampleo helped Zarbee’s set up its first chart of accounts and trained their bookkeeper on how to provide solid and reliable financial information as Zarbee’s sought funding. Ampleo made introductions to investors and assisted the company in securing investment dollars as well as debt. As the company grew, Zarbee’s newly hired CEO recognized he would need additional information to present to interested private equity firms. Ampleo put together financial statements and due diligence information and presented it to a private equity group that invested over $6 million in growth capital. As the business requirements increased, Ampleo helped Zarbee’s hire a full-time CFO.
CONTINUED SUCCESS
Zarbee’s continues to expand distribution and offer the best natural drug-free cough remedies available.
