Max Dresse

INSPIRED BEGINNNINGS. Max Dresse’s journey to becoming a founder can be traced back to his early years in Germany. Born to college-student parents, his mother pursued a career in medicine while his father ventured into entrepreneurship. This blend of influences set the stage for Max’s own entrepreneurial path. “Growing up, I saw my dad start an Amazon-like business for gardening during the dot-com rise,” Max recalls. “It didn’t succeed, but it sparked my desire to start something big and successful.”

Today, Max is the co-founder and CEO of Bellway, a next-generation fiber supplement company. Bellway is dedicated to helping modern consumers achieve optimal health and wellness by offering natural and delicious fiber products. “We offer the cleanest fiber supplements on the market,” Max explains. “Our goal is to capture a younger audience with products that are free from chemicals and taste good.”

Before founding Bellway, Max made significant contributions to several health and wellness companies. His career began at Aloha Nutrition, where he played a crucial role in building the brand’s online presence and expanding it into Target stores. This experience was instrumental in shaping his understanding of the market. He then joined HelloFresh and Freshly, where he led their omni-channel efforts and continued to innovate in the space. It was during this time that Max identified a gap in the fiber market. “I was on a keto diet and realized there were no clean, keto-friendly fiber supplements,” he says. This insight led to the creation of Bellway in 2020. B

ellway’s mission is driven by a significant health issue: 95% of Americans don’t get enough fiber. “It’s the number one deficiency in this country, according to the FDA,” Max adds. Bellway makes it easy to get the necessary fiber intake with its range of powders, capsules, and gummies. “Our products are designed to be convenient—take them on the go, before bed, whenever you want,” Max explains. One of the standout benefits of fiber is its immediate effect. “You take it once and feel a difference the next day, unlike many supplements that take months to show results.”

A TEAM EFFORT. Despite laying strong foundations in his career, Max found that the journey of founding Bellway came with its own set of challenges. A piece of wisdom from his former boss at Freshly resonated deeply with him: “Being a founder can be profoundly lonely.” Max took this to heart and made it a priority to build a strong, cohesive team. “It can be lonely at times, but it’s totally worth it,” he acknowledges. “Having an amazing team is essential, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

Today, Max takes immense pride in the team he has built at Bellway and the impact of their products. “The most rewarding part is hearing from customers how our products have changed their lives,” Max shares. “We get emails from people suffering from Crohn’s, colitis, and IBS who tell us that Bellway has made a significant difference for them.”

In 2020, Max married his husband in a Zoom wedding during the pandemic, a pivotal moment that reshaped his perspective on life and success. This experience underscored the importance of work-life balance for him. “I don’t think you can have a successful business without a happy, healthy personal life.”

Max’s philosophy on life and business is forward-looking. He avoids dwelling on past mistakes or regrets, choosing instead to focus on continuous growth. “Sometimes you think, ‘Oh, I wish I wouldn’t have said that or done something differently,’ but it’s often not helpful to dwell on the past,” he says. “I’m grateful for everything in this journey so far. Looking forward with a healthy mindset is more productive than having regrets about the past.“