Lindsay Meltzer: Building Bright Bowls, Health, and Community

Meet Lindsay Meltzer, Founder and Owner, Bright Bowls

Some people build businesses.

Some people build community.

And occasionally, you meet someone who does both!

That’s Lindsay Meltzer.

Lindsay is the founder and owner of Bright Bowls in Highland Park, a place many of us know for colorful smoothie bowls, protein balls, and that unmistakable feeling you get when you walk in the door: someone is genuinely happy to see you.

The Bright Bowls story did not start as a business plan; it was more of a lifestyle.

California Curiosity to Highland Park Roots

Lindsay grew up in Highland Park, but her food journey really took shape in California. First in Santa Barbara during college, then living in Brentwood and working in Manhattan Beach. At the time, she was working in nonprofit, and food was more passion than profession.

She’d been a vegetarian since childhood and was always thinking about how to fuel her body well, especially protein, iron, and other nutrients she was missing. California exposed her to foods that weren’t yet mainstream back home: dragon fruit, avocado (this was before the avocado craze), and eventually, acai bowls.

But there was a problem.

Acai berries are naturally bitter. In the U.S., most versions are loaded with sugar and marketed as “healthy.” Lindsay saw the disconnect and did what entrepreneurs do before they even know they’re entrepreneurs: she started experimenting.

For years.

With different blenders.

Different fruits.

Different textures.

Her goal was a real meal, nutrient-dense, filling, and clean.

The Kitchen That Started It All

When Lindsay moved back to Chicago, she missed those bowls even more. When she had kids and wanted healthy eating to be fun, she started making bowls for them.

All the experimentation paid off. She created delicious and colorful bowls. She used natural food coloring like spirulina and pitaya. She let her kids design their bowls like art projects.

Neighbors noticed.

Friends asked for bowls.

Then strangers.

At one point, Lindsay was making 60 orders a day out of her house. Two blenders running nonstop. Homemade granola. Fresh nut butters. Orders sitting in coolers on her front stoop while she picked up her kids from preschool.

And then came the realization every founder eventually has, this isn’t sustainable?

Her husband asked a few questions that changed everything:

“Do we want strangers coming to our house?”

And the supportive encouraging question, “Do you want to do this for real?”

A Leap of Faith

Lindsay signed a lease in December 2019, for a space that had never been a restaurant.

Three months later, COVID hit.

She had three young kids, 100 Instagram followers, and a brand-new lease. What she also had was something harder to manufacture: people rooting for her.

Messages flooded in:“Please tell us you’re still opening.”“We need something bright right now.”

Bright Bowls opened in June 2020.The first week, there was a line down the block.

In a dark, uncertain time, people were looking for color, nourishment, and connection Lindsay delivered all three!

Why Bright Bowls Is Different

Everything at Bright Bowls is organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Not because it’s trendy but because it’s how Lindsay would feed anyone.

She freezes fresh fruit herself whenever possible. When I asked why not use frozen fruit, she replied, “It taste better, the consistency is better.”  

Nuts are chopped in-house, for the same reason. The nut butter is made fresh, just like the granola. There are no shortcuts.

It’s not the most economical way to run a business but it’s the most honest. Lindsay added, “I want to feed people the same way I feed my family!”

And it shows.

I asked Lindsay about the machines that are now popping up at her competitors and she commented, “I looked into the machines, and the mix is high in sugar. The places using those machines are basically serving dessert. That works for a lot of people.”

The Vibe Matters as Much as the Food

During the interview I told Lindsay, every time I’m here, I’m greeted with s smile. With her own great big smile, “That’s on purpose. Everyone is trained to greet guests with a smile!”

Her philosophy is simple: when you eat in a calm, positive state, you digest better and absorb nutrients more effectively. Lindsay wants people to leave feeling brighter than when they walked in.

Staff are trained to assume each customer might be having the worst day of their life.

That mindset isn’t accidental. It’s informed by experience.

Food art is also part of the experience. If you look at Bright Bowls Instagram or order a bowl, the design is like a Picasso on a plate. Lindsay said, “When the food looks good, I feel like you enjoy it even more. It took some practice, but we all take a lot of pride in the design. Some of the team is really amazing at it.” 

When Bright Bowls Became a Shelter

During the Highland Park July 4th mass shooting, Lindsay’s instincts kicked in immediately. She saw panic and yelled for people to get inside.

More than 100 people — families, kids, pregnant women, dogs — were sheltered in Bright Bowls’ basement.

A teacher organized games for the children. Markers and paper came out. Food and water were shared. People stayed calm.

The days after were harder.

Bright Bowls became a place people came to talk, hug, and grieve. Lindsay carried more stories than any one person should. Lindsay stated, “Everyday having these deep emotions was a lot. It took me a while to realize I also need to heal.”

And then came a move.

Rebuilding, Literally and Symbolically

Bright Bowls’ current location sits right where the shooting occurred. Some wondered if people would come back.

Then Lindsay saw Cooper, one of the children injured in the shooting. He was passing by, with a smile, and moving forward with his life.

That was the sign.

Inside the shop is a mural that many admire without knowing its meaning: raindrops hitting an umbrella and turning colorful. A reminder that even the darkest moments can be transformed.

Lindsay commented, “The design was intentional, like our name, I want to brighten peoples’ days.”

What’s Next?

Lindsay isn’t trying to build an empire. She’s building a community.

Mahjong nights. Community gatherings. A space where people sit, talk, and connect is her goal. And in these uncertain times, people are craving that more than ever.

Fitness isn’t just working out and watching what you eat. It’s how you live. And Bright Bowls is here to feed all of it.

I recommend the Love-A-Bowl.

For more information: https://www.brightbowls.com/

And checkout their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bright_bowls/

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I help nonprofits raise more money through education, coaching, and strategic planning. I also lead high-impact professional development, coaching programs, and retreats for companies of all sizes. If you’re ready to strengthen your fundraising strategy, turn board members into advocates, or build a comprehensive legacy giving program, let’s talk.