MISSION SMALL BUSINESS GRANT

 

Dear friends,

MISSION SMALL BUSINESS GRANT! I need your vote please !

Please, take a few seconds of your time to vote for me. I need at least 250 votes in 7 days. I may be able to expand my business and help others as well. When you vote simply

                 1) click on log in and support.

                 2) you'll be taken to an area to search for a small business

                 3) Enter YUMMY BITES and then VOTE

https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/pledge/3001911-glutenfree.bites

Tell us about your business; how successful is it and why is it unique?

Researchers say that the last thing an immigrant forgets is language and cuisine. True enough, I always missed one of the most delicious Brazilian treats called “pao-de-queijo” (cheese bread rolls). Using my mom’s recipe, I started to make them on my own and sure enough it was a big hit among my American family and friends.

In the year of 2000, I learned that this Brazilian cheese bread rolls are gluten-free because they are made with cassava flour.   Since then, I became very interested in learning more about the gluten-free diet, celiac disease and the options that were available in the market for gluten sensitive people.  I realized that there are lack of good and tasty gluten-free products in the market. I found a niche! In 2008, motivated by my creativity, entrepreneurial personality and a passion for nutrition and culinary arts, I started a business called Yummy Bites to produce and distribute the Brazilian cheese bread rolls.

Yummy Bites gluten-free is a success story of how a dream can be turned in reality by combining a few ingredients: vision, hard work, honesty, determination and passion. Today, our delicious gluten-free cheese bread rolls can be found in 13 retail stores.  The feedback I’m getting from my customers includes “my kids just love them”, “they were the hit at my party”, “finally something gluten-free my whole family can enjoy”, make my business a success every day.

Our product is unique because it’s something new for Americans, very popular in Brazil. My product naturally rises the interest with consumers due to the unique, distinct and exotic cassava flour flavor. This is not an altered recipe to meet the gluten-free criteria. The Yummy Bites Brazilian cheese bread roll is naturally gluten-free loved by all: the gluten sensitive consumers and the people with no dietary restriction from all ages toddlers to the elderly. 

How is your business involved with the community you serve

 My business is active within the gluten-free community, including various support groups, social media, websites and local events. I provide samples and demos to their support group events, and fairs as well as the Brazilian community through social media, personal contacts, Consulate and Chamber of Commerce.

What would a 250k grant meant to your business plan and how it will you utilize the funds to ensure long-term growth and stability?

The grant money would enable me to fulfill my business venture as follows:

1. Set up my own commercial kitchen, purchase equipment and open a front store I will be able to expand my natural, organic, gluten-free product  line. Because of the increasing rate of celiac diagnosis, there is a high demand for Gluten-Free products.

 2. Hire and train staff to help me run and grow my business. I would be proud to  contribute to the US economy, creating jobs and opportunities for others.

3. It will allow me to sponsor associations, make donations to celiac and food allergy organizations, to support research centers in the U.S.

4. I will use a portion of the funds to promote my line of products. I need to advertise in my local market first and also in my region. As the company and my distribution network grow, I plan to expand into new market places.

All of the above would contribute to long term stability and growth.

WHAT KIND OF CHALANGES  CAN YOU IDENTIFY WITH YOUR PLAN AND HOW WILL YOU OVERCOME THEM?

 Hire, train and retain the right personnel, is essential and can be challenging so I will carefully select the right employees by determining what I need from each one. In a small business I need flexible employees who can use different hats like the ones I already have. I give them incentives, flexibility and a fun and friendly environment to make their working days more enjoyable. I will continue applying the same methods to keep the staff happy, productive and avoid turn over.

3 - Marketing is an overwhelming subject but I understand that marketing and advertising are very important tools to make my product more desirable and visible.  I will overcome this challenge by designing a clear marketing plan that provide focus and direction to the business to ensure that I will reach my business goals. Social media offers exceptional, low cost marketing opportunities and I will be more active to build a presence on Facebook, Twitter, my company blog and Linkedln as well as print ads in food magazines.

Describe the talent on your team and how they make your business successful.

Myself – Founder and Product Developer – My talents are:

·         Innovative and creative thinker.

·          Good communication skills. I am a people person, friendly and likable.

·          Able to network and make contacts.

·         Ability to multi-task

·          Achiever, a leader and a good couch.

·          Able to take responsibility and make decisions

·         Able to research effectively (e.g. available markets, suppliers, customers and the competition)

·         Able to plan, coordinate and organize effectively

·         Self-motivated

Kitchen helper

·         Fast learner

·         Organized, clean, polite, reliable and punctual

·         She has lots of energy and endurance

·         Flexible and accommodating

·         Initiative and problem solver

·         Team player

·         Follow instructions

Sales and Driver

·         Very enthusiastic about the business and our products

·         Friendly and motivator

·         Flexible, responsible and reliable

·         Excellent communication skills

·          Delivers a great customer service and support

·         Work ethic

·         Computer literate

·         Business oriented and self started

·         Team player

My team makes my business successful because nobody needs constant supervision. Everyone is responsible and work with a great desire to see the company succeed. We all work together with enthusiasm and passion. My assistants don’t see their roles in the company like mere job. They enjoy the work environment and they feel good about their work, the company mission and the products they help to make and sale.
I consider myself very lucky to work with a loyal and productive team. Additional relevant information you would like to share
My business mission is to bring to every one’s table gluten-free products that are absolutely safe and delicious.

Consumers seek for new things, new and unique products and I am here: eager to use my skills and abilities to bring solution and make a difference in people's lives.

DETERMINATION AND LOVE

I want to share with you an article about the founder of Yummy Bites.

The story is very well written by a jornlaist Aryadne Oliveira for

Soul Brasil Magazine © • SB50 • Special Edition • http://www.soulbrasil.com/

"Love Changed her and Talent Defined the Course of her Personal & Professional
Life.


Researchers say that food and identity are universal, and that the last thing an immigrant forgets is language and cuisine. True enough, proven by Elda Antonio, the entrepreneur proud
of her Brazilian way: stand up, dust it off and turn it up. Her favorite recipe? A combination of
creativity, joy and serious work representing a different perspective of a native product from
Brazil: the “pao de queijo” or cheese bread. Like any comfort food, the cheese breads should
be enjoyed in moderation, and being a natural gluten-free based food, it can be inserted into
the menu of those suffering from celiac disease – a genetic disorder that impairs the functioning
of the small intestine and absorption of nutrients. These people are intolerant to the gluten protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley malt – not found in the cheese-bread.
Hence, Elda’s chance in uniting the practical and tasty with healthy.
Elda studied this specific market and took the idea to her business school, where she learned
in class every detail needed to turn this idea into a great opportunity. It worked out. The company Yummy Bites Gluten-Free Products was created and the cheese bread is now being marketed in California by the natural markets and also via internet. Elda’s story was one of destiny. The entrepreneur has always had a strong personality and will power to achieve her goals. Early in her career, she got a job with the Brazilian Government - for many, a dream of professional stability. But for the young public employee, was just her first conquest. "I was always very curious. I wanted to know why and understand about everything.
I knew I had ability to create and simultaneously sought freedom. I didn’t want to be tied to
anything that I was not personally in charge of" – stated Elda. The opportunity for change came about by chance, but for good reason. In love, Elda moved to California in 1991 to "live life on the waves." From there, she began to seek her own identity and place in the new country. She suffered many setbacks during her transition, but she never give up pursuing her dreams. According to Elda, there is no way to dissociate this time of her life from where she is today, personally and in business. And so this was how she rediscovered herself in California. Elda worked as a babysitter, waitress, translator and even as a truck driver traveling throughout the United States. But her talent was cooking for friends and family which, ultimately, ended up with her having a ownership in the restaurant where she was working for.
Today, Elda runs her own company in Los Angeles offering cheese bread in different
flavors – traditional and Italian – and also glutenfree pizzas, with freshest ingredients and herbs.
She continues to work on new healthy recipes, and, step-by-step, in the expansion of her
business …always with a big smile on her face and enough energy to keep up with anything
that crosses her way in the States".