Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ana Rodriguez, co-founder, and general manager of Inbite GF Inc., located in Boca Raton, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a dedicated Gluten-Free Bakery, certified GFCO, and on track to becoming SQF. Our customers are businesses that want to manufacture their private label of any baking product that is gluten-free. For "Inbite" as a brand, our customers are health-conscious consumers seeking vegan and gluten-free food with a higher nutritional value. As a small mindful brand Inbite is constantly seeking ingredients that add to our consumer's health and with the least carbon footprint. The company has constantly been growing and shaping with its own capital. Our vision involves wholesome and healthy practices; it's the only way to offer a better product for you.
Tell us about yourself
I'm an entrepreneur with over 25 years of production experience. In 2007 we migrated to the US and left our first company with 150 employees. So when in the US, I always knew that I wanted to manufacture again and wanted to keep my essence as an entrepreneur.
What drove me to the food industry was the lack of "better for the health" snacks and food in general; my kids were growing, and I knew that the food they would intake was the soul of their health. I saw a lack of balance in consumers' diets and thought that the adventure was worth it. I taught myself to be a baker, especially a gluten-free baker (9 years ago, the gluten-free market was pretty new in South Florida). I got really passionate about learning how gluten-free works and especially passionate about observing how every ingredient involved for bread, a cookie, a muffin, etc. would react depending on other ingredients or depending on the procedure, and so I started developing observation skills and transforming myself into a gluten-free food developer and more a vegan baker.
What drives me to know is that every day is a new lesson, a new day to learn more about this field of food, and the knowledge that it seems to be never-ending is like reading a really good book.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is working for what I love and seeing how your beliefs come true. My goal is to believe that every product that Inbite bakes will contribute to a better healthy diet.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is the solo path that an entrepreneur sometimes has. Keep in mind that you have to believe in yourself in your vision every day because that vision is personal of each entrepreneur.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Draw your plan, picture it very well, and keep that photo on your everyday screen.
- Be open to pivot the plan every time it requires as long as you believe it will take you to 1).
- Persevere always and constantly, even when you think you cant give more.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Learn from your mistakes; they are the best classroom lesson you will have, especially when they hurt.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://inbite.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inbitesnacks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inbite-gf-inc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.