Lamar Letts, a Long Island native, has earned his vitamin-enhanced water, Hylux, a spot in nationwide production on Walmart.com. The 27-year-old Northeastern graduate is one of the youngest CEOs to have a product sold by the world’s largest retailer.
Letts is a former athlete whose product is a result of his experience. After suffering a career-ending injury in collegiate track and field, he reassessed his nutrition process, which led the Black entrepreneur to create his low-sugar vitamin water.
“Particularly at a time when more people are reconsidering their lifestyle choices during the pandemic, being mindful of a healthy diet has never been more important — especially in the Black community,” Letts said.
After suffering a condition known as myocarditis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall, Letts has quickly turned his fortune around. He went from a college student hatching up ideas in a dorm room to acquiring notable investors such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and working with large beverage distributors to earn Hylux nationwide availability.
With his parents having immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica before he was born, Letts recognizes what this means for him as a Black entrepreneur, and for the community as a whole.
“To have Walmart be a part of that mission is a major milestone for the company and shows their desire to help people lead healthy lifestyles while supporting Black and millennial founded companies,” Letts said.
Hylux aims to provide athletes with nutritional benefits that are superior to traditional, sugary sports drinks. The drink includes B-Complex vitamins, 100 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C, and more potassium than a banana. It also comes in various flavors including strawberry kiwi, red dragon fruit, and pomegranate raspberry flavors.
Letts also launched the drink on Amazon.com earlier this year.
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