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
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.
