Age: 34

Job: Founder and CEO, Crunchy Hydration

At work: I lead Crunchy Hydration, a women-owned sparkling wellness water brand built on mindful hydration. My focus is on growing relationships, scaling distribution and building a wellness-first company that supports both mental and physical health. On any given day, that means everything from fundraising and strategy to product development, building relationships, meetings on meetings, and events.

Home and family: I live in Virginia Beach, where I grew up, after spending several years in Los Angeles and Thailand. Being back by the ocean and close to my community keeps me grounded and inspired every day.

Volunteer activities: I stay actively involved in the Virginia Beach community through my church, food pantry support and nonprofit work we do on a weekly basis. I also mentor young women who are looking to start their own businesses and volunteer with local organizations focused on mental health, nutrition and environmental sustainability. From beach cleanups to MOCA events and youth empowerment programs, I’m passionate about giving back in ways that align with our mission of mindful living and holistic well-being.

Motivating factor: My own journey with anxiety and finding natural ways to heal is what motivates me. I want to create something bigger than a beverage that helps change lives.

Advice to young people: Don’t wait for perfect conditions: Start where you are. Progress and learning happen through action, not waiting.

Professional goal in five years: Crunchy will have scaled to an eight-figure revenue brand with a loyal customer base, multiple product lines and strategic partnerships, setting us up for acquisition with purpose at the core.

The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads: I’d love to see even more investment in entrepreneurship and innovation, so founders can launch and scale companies without having to leave the region.

Region’s biggest asset: The people are what make this region special, with a strong sense of community, grit and creativity, combined with the natural beauty of the oceanfront without the California costs. It’s an inspiring place to live and work.

Downtime: I love spending time with my family on the beach and doing hot yoga. Travel and exploring new wellness practices also recharge me.

What really gets under my skin: When someone says, “It’s just water.” Just kidding; this makes me giggle. What really gets me is when brands or people present themselves as something they’re not. Authenticity is everything — in business and in life.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/10/27/top-forty-under-40-2025-megan-riggs/