Dara Wax — Reimagining Teen Vitamins as Tools for Mental Wellness

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dara Wax, founder of SAM+LEO, to unpack the missing market no one was really talking about: clean, teen-friendly supplements that support energy, sleep, stress, immunity, and eye health, without the junk, the shame, or the “what’s wrong with me?” messaging.Dara shares:A global-health career that turned into a kitchen-table mission. After years working in vaccine advocacy and global health—including at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—Dara stepped back from international travel as her own sons’ needs became more complex, and started building the product she wished existed for her own family.Why “supporting” beats “fixing.” As a mom of two teen boys navigating anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and learning challenges, Dara realized the language matters. Kids do not need to feel broken—they need tools, support, and reminders that they are already amazing.The missing shelf between kids’ gummies and adult supplements. Dara saw that tweens and teens were either ignored altogether or pushed toward energy drinks, adult products, and unhealthy coping tools. SAM+LEO was created to fill that gap with clean gummies teens will actually take.A smarter swap for the real-world stuff teens reach for. Energy gummies instead of energy drinks. Relax support instead of turning toward vaping or other risky coping habits. Eye-health gummies for the screen-heavy generation. Sleep, immunity, and stress support that meets kids where they already are.From zero stores to Whole Foods. In a huge leap, SAM+LEO went from no retail presence to launching in 50 Whole Foods stores, after Dara was selected as one of only 10 brands out of 1,600 applicants in the store’s accelerator program.Quote to tape on the fridge:“We’re not fixing our kids—we’re supporting them.”Whether your child is anxious, exhausted, screen-tired, gluten-sensitive, overbooked, or just trying to survive adolescence, Dara’s message is simple: small, thoughtful supports can make a big difference—and our kids deserve tools that honor who they are.👤 About Dara WaxDara Wax is a seasoned global health strategist and the founder of SAM+LEO, a clean gummy vitamin brand designed to support teen mental wellness and everyday health. A mom of two teen boys with their own mental health and learning needs, Dara combines personal experience with public-health expertise to help families find practical, supportive tools for real life.🔗 Connect with Dara & SAM+LEOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darawax/Instagram: @shopsamandleo