Colby alumna started her career during the unexpected effects of the pandemic, leading to a successful career in the food and beverage industry.
Tessa Schrupp ’20 and founder Jack Schrupp have turned Drink Wholesome into a thriving business, earning recognition from Forbes and dietitians nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Alexis the Greek)
By Katherine Morrison
When the Class of 2020 walked across the virtual stage, few students could have predicted their unconventional journeys ahead.
For Tessa Schrupp ’20, the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic became an unexpected start to a career in the food and beverage industry that has led her to upper management of a company that makes protein powders for people with sensitive stomachs. Her unpredicted path blends entrepreneurship, creativity, and her deep love of food.
“My original plan was thrown for a loop,” said Schrupp, who abandoned her plan for a gap year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and instead plugged into Colby alumni networks to pursue career options.
She was first drawn to the wine industry and completed an internship focused on grape harvesting. The experience helped her realize she did not want to focus solely on wines, and it eventually led to her current position as chief marketing officer for Drink Wholesome.
Tessa Schrupp, chief marketing officer, and sibling Jack Schrupp, founder of protein powder company Drink Wholesome. (Photo courtesy of Alexis the Greek)
Drink Wholesome delivers simple, high-quality protein powders for sensitive stomachs. (Photo courtesy of Alexis the Greek)
Gaining experience
She began her marketing journey at a San Francisco agency, Postcard Communications, where she worked with food and beverage brands, supporting various companies with public relations, digital marketing, and event planning. The experience gave her an intimate view of the work required to build and maintain brands in a competitive and quickly evolving industry. While her agency role allowed for creativity and innovation, she wanted to manage all of the little details and work in-house for a brand.
That opportunity came when her brother’s thriving protein powder company, Drink Wholesome, needed additional support. The siblings teamed up, leaving their respective roles to focus on the startup full time.
Jack Schrupp began Drink Wholesome in 2020 because he could not find a protein powder that sat well with his sensitive stomach. The company has earned a reputation for delivering simple, high-quality protein powders. Recognized for his innovative approach, Jack Schrupp was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list in December 2024.
From kitchen experiments to nationwide sales, Drink Wholesome continues to innovate and expand it’s reach. (Photo courtesy of Alexis the Greek)
Going all in
After they left the stability of their prior nine-to-fives, the siblings faced a critical regulatory hurdle that forced them to pause production, setting them back few months. The setback, while stressful, led to a positive outcome. The pause in production led to fast-tracking a new product, collagen protein powder. The pair developed the powder and production schedule and designed the launch and marketing materials all within a month.
“Turning around a product launch in a month while simultaneously getting the production site back open proved that our small team is nimble,” she said.
Schrupp’s day-to-day varies greatly. Being on a small team, she assumes various roles to maintain customer and production demands.
“I’m grateful that I get to try new things all the time,” said Schrupp. “The autonomy is my favorite aspect of my role. I choose things I don’t necessarily have a lot of expertise in, and it enables me to learn more than I would in a traditional job.”
Drink Wholesome has grown from a small idea to a thriving business in the health and wellness industry. The company closed out 2024 with more than $2 million in annual revenue and achieved its best week of sales in January 2025.
Now, five years since its founding, Drink Wholesome is expanding its product lines, collaborating with dietitians and practitioners, and earning recognition for clean ingredients and limited processing.
A clean approach to protein. (Photo courtesy of Alexis the Greek)
The duo behind Drink Wholesome shares a commitment to creating products that taste great and support digestive health. (Photo courtesy of Alexis the Greek)
Positive impact
Schrupp used her marketing skills to expand Drink Wholesome’s national network to more than 500 digestive health specialists, which has helped the company grow. Registered dietitians, practitioners, health coaches, and physical therapists specializing in digestive issues and sensitive stomachs recommend the product to their clients. Customers can also locate a specialist by visiting the company’s website.
For Schrupp, her journey in the food industry has been driven by both curiosity and courage. She strengthened her ability to face new challenges, acquire new skills, and tap into her creativity during her time at Colby.
“A lot of the things I did at Colby are a reflection of where I am now,” said Schrupp. “The seeds for my interest in food were planted there.”
Schrupp recalled a world history of food course with Sarah Duff, associate professor of history, where she explored different angles of food—the anthropologic, historical, economic, social, and environmental.
“I could spend the rest of my life working in a career in food,” said Schrupp. “If you ask my friends at Colby, they would say I was always cooking, thinking, and talking about food. It just makes sense for me.”