Money Date With Partake Foods
/Every Friday I recommend having a money date…with a mimosa. Hence the name of my blog, Money & Mimosas.
Your money date is your special time to review your finances, celebrate your wins, and reflect on how you used your money to make a difference. Feel free to do it alone or with your money buddy. If you’d like a step-by-step guide for your money date, click here to download your free checklist.
In these money date articles, Money & Mimosas features small to medium-sized businesses that are aligned with our values. This week we’re featuring Partake Foods, a fabulous company that makes super delicious cookies safe for those that have food allergies.
Their success is catching major attention from stars and investors. In 2019, they received an investment from Jay-Z. Most recently, they’ve secured an investment from the Grammy-award winning artist, H.E.R., and a distribution deal with Target stores across the United States.
Keep reading to learn more about their founder, Denise, and her commitment to making the world a sweeter, happier place.
What inspired the creation of your business?
My 5-year-old daughter Vivienne is allergic to corn, eggs, tree nuts, and bananas. I was so frustrated with the options that existed for her - from a taste and nutrition perspective, and when I couldn't find anything to meet my family's needs, I left my career at Coca-Cola to launch Partake.
What does your business do to create ethical and sustainable products?
Our products are all Vegan, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, and we use many organic ingredients. We focus on working with single-source suppliers that are often farms around the US.
How does your business give back to others?
We support charities focused on supporting food-insecure children and have partnered with both Blessings in a Backpack and the Food Equality Initiative. In June, we are donating 10% of sales to the Food Equality Initiative - they provide food, advocacy, and education to food-insecure families managing food allergies. Personally, I mentor women and POC founders in the consumer space.
How have you seen your business positively impact the food allergy community?
By offering products that are delicious and made with ingredients you can feel good about - while being allergy-friendly. As a food allergy mom, I know what it's like to parent a child living with life-threatening food allergies and keep that top of mind in everything we do - from sourcing suppliers to thinking of our product pipeline.
What would you like other black entrepreneurs to know about starting a business?
It's hard! Oftentimes, society glamorizes entrepreneurship, but it is a grind and requires a lot of sacrifice. But - with passion, hard work, and a little luck, it can be done - I'm a first-time founder with no experience in food or running a business, but we are thriving.
