Meet Annie Kimmelman | Business Owner & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Kimmelman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Patience. I dreamt up Heaps FOUR YEARS before we launched, and the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that great things take time. Instead of rushing to market, we focused on getting it right – testing, refining, and learning along the way. That patience gave us the space to define our voice, build a strong foundation, and find partners we trust. It allowed us to source the best ingredients possible and create a product we’re truly proud of.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Heaps is a high-protein peanut butter made with soy protein and real spices, designed for both flavor and function. I created it after years of being disappointed by what was on the market – mainstream peanut butters are filled with additives, while natural ones are hard to stir and lack the protein I want. So we launched two products – Spread and Drizzle. Each serving of Heaps contains 10 grams of complete protein (all nine essential amino acids!), and the texture is both spreadable AND squeezable. Our Original flavor includes organic cane sugar, regenerative vanilla, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

The road from creation to execution wasn’t easy. Scaling from small batches to large production brought unexpected challenges with flavor consistency and packaging. There were moments I wanted to quit, but I knew I had come too far to have done it all for nothing. The biggest lesson I’ve learned through the challenges is patience. We’re not afraid to take our time, or to invest in better ingredients to make something we’re proud of. From the delicious and functional products to the playful branding we built with Murmur Creative, everything about Heaps is intentional. We’re SO excited by what’s to come! This is truly just the beginning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends visit from out of town, I love creating itineraries that combine fun with wellness. We’d start the mornings slow with iced lattes and bagels from El Bagel in Coconut Grove – their vegan cream cheese and guava bagel is one of the best things I have ever tasted. During the day, we’d head to the Design District for shopping, people-watching, and lunch at either Nami Nori for hand rolls, ZZ’s for vibes and delicious Japanese food, or Mandolin for dreamy Greek food in the most gorgeous outdoor setting.

For dinner, Coconut Grove is always my go-to. It has the cutest charm and is full of hidden gems. I love Carbone Vino for savory Italian food, Planta Queen for vegan food with a ton of range, Amal for light and flavorful Mediterranean food, or Bar Taco for margaritas and the cutest plant-based tacos. 

We’d do at least one beach day up in Surfside (with pub subs of course) for peaceful and way less crowded vibes than South Beach. If we have time, a boat day near the Key Biscayne sandbar is magical and reminds me why I live in Miami.


At night you’ll usually catch me home with the dogs, but I’ll make an exception for good wine and live music. Zey Zey is such a cool venue with the best lineups and street food. Magie in Coconut Grove is one of my favorite wine bars for a group hang or date night.


Wellness is huge for me too, so I’m definitely bringing them with me to Pilates at Pulse, hot yoga at Mimi Yoga, or for a fun game of padel at Reserve Padel. We’d browse farmers markets in Coconut Grove or Pinecrest for the best local juices, chia puddings, and exotic fruit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my wife, Valeria! She’s not only my best friend but also my business partner. Without her, there would be no Heaps. She’s been by my side through every step of the journey, from brainstorming flavor ideas to navigating the challenges of launching a small business. She’s the heart and brains behind so much of what we do, and her support, insight, and belief in Heaps have meant the world to me.

Website: https://theplantcollective.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplantcollective_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theplantcollective

Other: Tiktok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@theplantcollective