Meet
Bri Makaric
, the CEO and founder of BRITE bites™ and a Michigan State University student. She is in her senior year studying Advertising with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
On October 25, 2019, BRITE Bites will be one of eight female-founded companies--including those created by high school and college students, and professionals--who will compete for a chance to win $2,000 in cash prize, year-long mentoring, plus more perks to support the growth of their businesses. The competition is part of North Central College's
Women Entrepreneurship Conference 2019
, an annual event that contributes to the global movement, Women Entrepreneurship Week. The sponsors for this year's event are Naperville Bank & Trust and Innovation DuPage.
What was your inspiration for starting your business/business idea?
Growing up I struggled with nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems. As a young athlete, on the go, running between multiple practices, I found it difficult to find snacks that could properly fuel my body. I began taking probiotics in pill form, which drastically improved my digestion; however I knew that there had to be an easier way to get in probiotics. This personal problem led me to create BRITE bites™.
What has been the most challenging for you, as a startup or business owner?
The most challenging them for myself as a business owner has been scaling our production to keep up with the demand. This is something that we have faced as a problem since starting the company.
In the process of creating or growing your business, what has been the most rewarding aspect?
The most rewarding part of growing BRITE bites has been the effect that our product has made in others' lives. It is amazing to have customers tell you how they have increased their energy levels
by consuming BRITE bites
, are motivated to exercise, and continue to build healthy habits. The other rewarding part is the amazing friends and fellow entrepreneurs I have been able to meet. These people understand what you are going through and so many things are very relatable.
How do you balance your work/school and personal life?
Being a full-time student and entrepreneur requires time management. It is not easy, and managing both can be very difficult, in addition to balancing a personal life. I believe that prioritization is key to finding balance and working hard. It is so important to make sure you are taking care of yourself as an entrepreneur because you can’t pour from an empty bucket.
What are you most excited about as you move forward with your business?
I am most excited about growth, in all aspects from manufacturing, to growing our team, to growing our retailer and supplier relationships--all while maintaining the integrity of our product.
BRITE bites™
is an all-natural probiotic snack bite company, which stands true to its core values of
B
alanced.
R
eal.
I
ntegrity.
T
rust.
E
nergy
. BRITE bites™ are a wholesome, superfood snack bites which contain organic chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds as well as a probiotic. They differentiate themselves from other brands on the market by offering a shelf-stable probiotic in their bites. Probiotics are live bacteria that are healthy for your gut. Each bite contains 1 billion CFUs of Live Probiotics and supports the digestive and immune systems.
To support Bri or check out the Female Founders' Pitch Competition, register here:
