Daily Inspiration: Meet Philip Stakich & Natalie Heiter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Stakich & Natalie Heiter

Philip & Natalie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It would be hard to say how Lofty Pops came to life without talking about Marilyn’s Detroit first. Back in 2018, Philip had this simple idea: make better smoothies. Armed with a couple of blenders, some tables with white tablecloths, and the highest quality organic fruits and nut milks he could find, he set up shop at the Royal Oak Farmers Market and called it Marilyn’s. The goal was to share the same delicious smoothies he’d been making at home with people who wanted something healthier and tastier.

The little stand quickly became a hit. People loved the real ingredients, the flavors, and the care Philip put into every single cup. It didn’t take long for Marilyn’s to grow, and before he knew it, Philip had a permanent stand at the Market and a food truck rolling around Detroit slinging smoothies and superfruit bowls.

Fast forward to 2024, and Philip had a new idea: His favorite childhood treat, ice pops. Not the artificial, sugar-loaded kind you grab from the store, but real fruit, no-junk ice pops that would be perfect for kids and adults alike. He called up his sister (me), Natalie, and pitched the idea. I was all in, and together we got to work, experimenting in the kitchen to create pops that tasted amazing and stayed true to our “real ingredients only” philosophy.

Once we nailed the recipes, they landed on a name that matched the vibe: Lofty Pops—because these weren’t your average popsicles; they were fun, fresh, and on a whole different level.

As if things couldn’t get better, the Detroit Zoo wanted Lofty Pops to be part of the Zoo experience. By July 2024, we were up and running with two Lofty Pops stands, debuting our first seven amazing flavors to thousands of Zoo visitors.

Looking back at how far we’ve come, we know none of this would’ve happened without our dedicated team. They’re the heart and soul of everything we do. Their hard work, creativity, and passion come through in every smoothie, bowl, and ice pop we make. It’s not just us—Philip, me, and our amazing team are all about bringing good vibes, great flavors, and better-for-you treats to everyone we can.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges we faced was opening up in time for the start of the season at the Detroit Zoo. Originally, we planned to be up and running by May 2024, just in time to kick off summer. We were so pumped, thinking everything would go smoothly. But, we ran into some unique challenges that caused delays. While it was important for us to be open in May, it was more important for us that we provided an experience that was solid and what we promised to the Detroit Zoo.

Finally, by mid-July, everything fell into place. It was such a relief to see everything come together and open for business. And when we saw people’s faces light up as they tried their first Lofty Pop, it made all the struggles feel worth it.

Looking back, the challenges we experienced reminded us to stay flexible and be solution-oriented. By the time we opened, everything was just how it was supposed to be, without cutting any corners—and that made it all worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Health and good food have always been part of our story. Growing up, our parents made sure we stayed active, and eating healthy was just part of life for us. Now, to be fair, Philip’s the disciplined eater of the two of us, while I am a little more about balance (read: I love my treats). That mix actually works perfectly when we’re testing recipes—healthy enough to feel good about, but tasty enough to crave.

We also have a background in health-food products. Our parents run a company focused on bee hive products that we also both worked in for many years, so we grew up learning all about natural, good-for-you ingredients.

Philip’s been in the food and beverage world for years, starting with Marilyn’s Detroit, where he took his love for smoothies and superfruit bowls and built something amazing. From a farmers market stand to a food truck that people follow all over the city, Marilyn’s has become a community favorite, and that connection inspires everything we do.

I bring my marketing and advertising experience to the table. I’ve worked in both boutique social media agencies and big corporate settings, so I know how to juggle creativity and structure.

Our mix of skills works well together—Philip’s food industry know-how, my marketing savvy, and our shared passion for quality and community. Plus, we’ve got that sibling chemistry that keeps things fun. At the end of the day, we’re just two people who love making better-for-you treats that people love as much as we do.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
We’d definitely call ourselves risk-takers. Starting and running a business takes guts, and we’ve both had moments where we had to take a leap of faith, trusting in the vision we were building. For us, risk isn’t about being reckless; it’s about believing in something so strongly that you’re willing to bet on it—even when the odds seem daunting.

Philip, he went all in. He bought a retired U.S. Mail truck, transformed it into a food truck, and quit his day job to sell organic smoothies and superfruit bowls—at a time when this type of food wasn’t even on people’s radar. He didn’t just dip his toe in; he invested his life savings because he believed in the quality of the food and the opportunity to connect with people.

I left a corporate job with a steady paycheck and benefits to jump into the business full-time. But I believed in the product we were creating and the strong foundation Philip had already built. On paper, it might not have made sense, but in my heart, it was the right move.

Our view on risk-taking is simple: if you believe in what you’re doing, it’s not really a question of “Why take the risk?” but “Why not?” Of course, risk is scary—it comes with uncertainty and no guarantees. But we’ve learned that if the purpose is there and you’re willing to work hard, those risks can turn into the best decisions you’ll ever make.

For us, taking risks has been about trusting ourselves, the quality of what we’re building, and the impact we can have. And so far, those leaps have brought us to places we’re proud of—and we’re excited to keep taking them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loftypops.com
• Instagram: @eatloftypops
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lofty-pops/