TRADE HEROES: 7 Summits Snacks
The “Trade Heroes” series highlights Edmonton region builders who have ‘EXPORT-itude’ — the mindset and commitment to think globally when it comes to their business. This series is all about local entrepreneurs, building companies that impact global markets – because not all heroes wear capes.
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.”
“Chocolate is our hero ingredient,” Kristyn said. “As an ingredient with studied nutritional benefits such as antioxidants, iron, and natural caffeine, it was more than a delicious decision to make when deciding how to construct our energy bars.”
From local shelves to international trails
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. “We will be closely monitoring the tariff and trade rules as the months go by. Since the de-minimis changes in late August, we’ve experienced an additional 25% increase in our e-commerce shipping costs which has impacted our US business model.”
Challenges and growth on the move
Selling chocolate across borders comes with challenges, especially around temperature control. 7 Summits Snacks uses drop-shipping and pays for priority service during hot months, with orders being insulated for protection.
To future-proof operations, the company has lined up a potential contract manufacturer in Bellingham, Washington, complementing current production in Kitchener and in Edmonton.
The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), completed in 2021, was a key catalyst. “We took it too early in that we just weren’t ready to export quite yet,” Kristyn admitted. “But the export plan we created has been essential for securing grant funding. I couldn’t have accessed that funding without going through TAP — it really set us up well.”
Ongoing support from the Trade Commissioner Service, Alberta Agriculture, and trade missions to Seattle and New York have further strengthened the company’s export foundation.
Advice for other exporters
Kristyn encourages other Edmonton region founders to take advantage of local resources. “The region’s advisors and programs are here to help us — and they do; they really do,” she said.
Continuing in the spirit of leveraging local expertise, 7 Summits Snacks is collaborating with NAIT’s Centre for Culinary Innovation to develop a protein-forward line using Western Canadian ingredients. The concept — a functional, crunchy cluster featuring chocolate as “the delighter” — is expected to launch within two years.
“We’ve built something that truly fuels adventure,” Kristyn said. “Now it’s about seeing how far we can go.”
Interview written by Amanda Sparks | Click here for the original interview
