Mermaid Beach’s Gevity RX – named after Gevity, which means “longevity” and RX which means “prescription” – was born from what its founders Atlanta and Mark Fowler describe as a “mushy love story” which was hijacked by health challenges.

When Atlanta started suffering from extreme exhaustion, mood swings, crippling anxiety and panic attacks, the couple started experimenting with a highly concentrated version of a traditional bone broth.

Three months later, Atlanta’s health was back on track.

These days, as well as Atlanta’s Body Glue™, Gevity RX also sells bone broth sauces and marinades as well as its newly-launched high fibre/no sugar Sweet Guts Chocolates.

Gevity RX Founders Mark and Atlanta Fowler

Gevity RX Head of Strategic Growth and Operations Hugh Simson said the current business was born from the couple’s Brio Emporium health food café at Broadbeach six years ago.

“Mark and Atlanta, who are in their mid 40s, were trying to bring a paleo/keto friendly café to the public. That’s when the paleo, CrossFit trend really started to take off and that’s when they started selling marrow,” Simson said.

“Back in 2016-17 there were lines outside the door for people wanting this bone broth concentrate.

“The café had a really interesting journey from Broadbeach to Burleigh to Southport Park before COVID. Some people were looking for products during COVID which helped their immunity, health, and wellness.

“We have now moved beyond retail and cafes and are really focusing on the product and lifestyle brand.”

Simson said the products had been so successful they were now being sold in 225 Woolworths stores around the country with approaches from other retailers at the same time.

Gevity RX Bone Broth Body Glue

Gevity RX has been supported by Trade and Investment Queensland in conjunction with City of Gold Coast.

“Doing business on the Gold Coast is really unique as there’s a real interest in health and wellness,” Simson said.

“A lot of people are seeking out alternatives for health and wellness and hacks they can use in their daily routine and our products certainly cater for that.

“The Gold Coast has welcomed businesses like ours with open arms.”

Amazonia

It’s been a similar trajectory for Amazonia whose founder Dwayne Martens was struggling with his own health and energy and started investing in wholefoods, and particularly acai.

Amazonia CEO Sarah West, said the company started 15 years ago with a small flea market stall in Freemantle, before moving to Sydney for further growth opportunities and eventually the Gold Coast, with previous buildings at Burleigh Heads and Miami.

Last October it moved into a worldwide HQ and “innovation hub” at Arundel and started its first trials of manufacturing in January. Prior to that Amazonia was contract manufacturing.

“Arundel was the right place for us to get into a green star building and look at long-term manufacturing. We wanted to get something that was purpose fit for our growth,” West said.

“We have a really supportive state government through Austrade and Trade and Investment Queensland who are incredibly helpful with contacts for export markets.

“The City of Gold Coast has been incredibly supportive with new market grants for export and attracting new investment in Queensland. They are always happy to go above and beyond. One of our team attended the Mayor’s trade mission to the UK last year.”

Acai Amazonia style

Amazonia now develops more than 70 products and provides frozen superfoods, raw proteins and supplements with no synthetics, GMOs, dairy or artificial ingredients in any of their products.

And its tentacles are spreading far and wide with its acai bowls on beaches in Mykonos while its Raw Pregnancy Protein can be found in South Korea.

West said Amazonia currently had 32 employees with the Gold Coast offering a “brilliant mix” of lifestyle and business growth.

“More and more, the Gold Coast is becoming a great hub where incredibly talented people create a work/life balance and we want to provide an incredible place for our team to work and live,” she said.

“Acai is all about having a surf and a bowl. We focus on wholesome and nutritious ingredients and on the Gold Coast everyone is committed to that.”