BY SONIA WEST
Every topic we discussed in our interview with Ratana Stephens felt encouraging and inspiring. One can feel the emotion as she talks about the risks she has taken to bring her to the accomplished life she enjoys today.
Nature’s Path’s mission: “To leave the earth better than you found it” is the experience of a conversation with Ratana, making one feel better after meeting her. She is CEO and co-founder of Nature’s Path, North America’s largest independent certified organic food company.
She cites many determined female influences in her life who have shaped the woman she is today, with the most influential being her grandmother, Mela Devi. “I was born in India when India was partitioned, and we became refugees. My grandmother raised me and taught me to believe in myself even during that time.”
Her grandmother instilled within Ratana the strength and resiliency she modeled for her: We, women, are still battling for equality, and men and women are equal.
“My grandmother is my biggest inspiration, and I admire her. She became a widow at 17, with 3 rambunctious boys, and stripped of her property, but she didn’t care. Instead, she started sewing, being caring and powerful. I admire women who are working full-time and raising their children.”
“There are huge inspirations for single mothers working hard, bringing up their kids, and they are doing well. I was the only family member who finished a degree—with a Masters in English literature. I became a college lecturer in a girl’s college in northern India.”
In 1969, Ratana met and married an incredible man named Arran Stephens. They moved to Vancouver, and she began working at Arran’s restaurant—Canada’s first vegetarian restaurant, the Golden Lotus, which later became Woodlands Natural Restaurant in Vancouver.
“In 1971, we started Canada’s first natural food store, long before whole foods was conceived,” Ratana recalls. A pioneer in the organic industry, in 1985, they started Nature’s Path Foods, which became North America’s largest independent organic cereal brand. “Over 50 countries enjoy our products.”
Ratana took an enormous risk when she married Arran, a white guy from Vancouver Island. They met in Delhi, India, in 1969. She didn’t know his parents, didn’t know Canada, knew nothing about business. Yet, everything worked out, and their marriage is as strong as ever after all these years.
Adversity in the workplace was apparent in their first attempt. “Risking everything, we built a brand-new cereal factory, but the production lines which were supposedly turnkey, were anything but. Despite best efforts of engineers and consultants, the equipment failed to produce as promised. We and our dedicated staff wanted to prove that we could do it, but we almost failed in the process. We produced many truckloads of waste that ended up as cattle feed. We would not sell anything that wasn’t perfect. It took 6-8 months—but finally, we broke through the barriers. Our first factory was in Delta, and now there are four: two in the USA and two in Canada. We accomplished this independently and without venture capitalists. We always believed in a strong work ethic and had a self-sufficient business perspective. Perseverance and tenacity served us well.”
Ratana remains at the center of every development within the company. Although Arran retired from the day-to- day activities of the business to pursue art, writing and organic gardening, he continues in a mentorship supportive role.
Ratana laughs, revealing she is a very accomplished artist. Wife and husband continue as leaders in social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and financial viability. Since 2008, Ratana and Arran have donated almost $40 million to various philanthropic and community service initiatives. Ratana shares the many thought-leaders from whom she draws inspiration and tells us the messages she remembers throughout her life. She draws upon these influences to guide her and remind her of her strength and ability to be a change-maker.
“Margaret Mead said something so powerful: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Other empowered women that are top of mind for Ratana are Former First Lady of the USA, Michelle Obama, and Vice-President of the United States, Kamala Harris.
Ratana has roots deeply in her Indian heritage; she shares a story of a robust Indian woman from 1705 from the Sikh culture named Mai Bhago: “She was a warrior, a brave woman who led Sikh soldiers against the Mughals and rallied the 40 Sikhs (Chali Mukte) who abandoned Guru Gobind Singh at the Siege of Anandpur Sahib and brought them back to fight. History is full of change-makers.”
We ask Ratana what she looks for when mentoring young women who want to follow in her footsteps. “Mentoring is also giving back,” she said without flinching. “I believe in servant leadership, which means you ask others how you can serve and help them. I want to know whether they will learn and listen; it’s essential. Do they have an open heart? Do they want to give back? To me, mentoring is paying it forward.”
She shares what she believes to be the key to the success of women in business. “Always believe that the number one trait of leadership is resiliency. There will always be trials and unexpected challenges. Nelson Mandela once said, don’t judge me by my successes; judge me on how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
Ratana says a woman needs to be enduring to handle risks.
“Manage people—and business is always about people; no matter what business is, it’s always the people.” She trusts her intuition, and if she senses any resistance or judgement for her being a female in her industry, she and her husband do not entertain such a business relationship. “I just don’t do business with them.”
To the young women reading this article, she wants to impart this wisdom: “Be different, understand your unique uniqueness, and carve your own path. You don’t have to be doctors, you don’t have to be lawyers, you can be teachers, you could be professors, you could be nurses, or in high-tech. Whatever you are, carve your own path. Gravitate to where you celebrate your uniqueness, and you will find others traveling in the same direction. Be purpose-driven. I encourage you to be ambitious, but ambition is meaningless without compassion. We may be individuals, but we are all on the same journey to do good, do well, and look after people. Be resilient; every road has challenges; ensure that your heart and mind are open. No matter what happens, always honor your purpose.”
Ratana loves and enjoys being a mother. “As a person who believes in the preeminent power of change because of mothers, I want to quote William Ross Wallace, a 19th-century poet: ‘The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.’ Gurdas Mann: ‘Maavan thandiyan chavan, chavan kaun kare, put k put bane so varee, ma rehndi ma banke’.
Mothers are the change makers, just like my mother. She suffered a lot but remained steadfast and resilient; she is 94 years old and ill. I am very grateful for everything she has done for me. Hence, I am also proud of all my beautiful children; I have three daughters and one son, and six granddaughters and one grandson. I have been strict, but I love that my children are caring and purpose-driven and are making a difference. And Arran, my wonderful husband of 54 years, I love him deeply! My daughters have done big jobs, and they’re good as mothers, and all have become strong women.
“I am indebted to Mother India, with its rich cultural, artistic and spiritual heritage, and also grateful to my adopted country, Canada—the land of infinite opportunity, inclusion and natural beauty. Ultimately, I am the child of the universe.
