Martial Arts, Entrepreneurship, and the Importance of Work-Life Balance – Eli Halpern

What do you get when you combine a comedian, martial artist, and entrepreneur?  You get Eli Halpern, CEO and Founder of Golden Cricket.  Halpern is a visionary whose company is disrupting the nutritional market by introducing cricket protein, a sustainable and healthy alternative to traditional protein sources.  He’s also disrupting how businesses are run by emphasizing work/life balance in the start-up world.

Eli’s love for martial arts and sustainability inspired him to create a brand that not only promotes health but also makes a positive impact on the world.  Golden Cricket sponsors martial arts and other fitness-related events from a health and environmental angle. Eli believes that martial arts are a great way to achieve physical fitness, mental discipline, and emotional well-being. Moreover, it is an excellent platform to promote healthy living and environmental sustainability. 

Cricket protein aligns perfectly with Eli’s values.  From a health standpoint, they are an absolute superfood. Crickets are one of the most nutritious protein sources on the planet, containing about 65% protein by weight.  Environmentally, crickets are the most sustainable source of protein, requiring less water, food, and land compared to livestock. Finally, crickets cannot be contaminated with pesticides since any pesticide will kill them.  

How do they taste?  Ground into a powder and turned into a bar, you would never know you’re eating insects.  With all-natural ingredients like peanut butter, dates, oats, almond protein fiber, and chicory fiber, you can be assured you are providing your body with ideal nourishment.

Eli, however, had no assurances that he would realize his vision.  But by staying true to his values, he accomplished just that.  He built Golden Cricket entirely by himself and now runs it with the help of his younger brother. Within seven months of operating, he raised $100k from an investor. Building a business from scratch is never easy, and Eli faced his fair share of challenges. One of his biggest challenges was misquoting pricing after presenting a business plan that made it unprofitable. However, rather than let this derail him, Eli overcame it by self-manufacturing.

When asked about his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Eli’s philosophy is contrary to the typical start-up “work until you drop” ethos.  Instead, he emphasizes the importance of work-life balance. He recommends that before starting a business, ask yourself if that is really what you want.  Because if you enjoy your nights and weekends, it will be even more stressful than the security of a salary. Since work-life balance is often overlooked in the startup world, he encourages others to pursue their passions without sacrificing their well-being.

Eli Halpern is a shining example of how passion and purpose can drive success while maintaining a work/life balance. Looking to the future, Eli sees his brand in stores nationwide with a wild and exciting marketing campaign. He envisions Golden Cricket rebuilding impoverished societies and helping to end world hunger. He also plans to expand his brand to Europe and other countries.