Today we’d like to introduce you to Misti Buard.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Misti. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Brand Appétit® started in April 2018 as a boutique marketing firm where I’d used food trucks for brand activations and marketing promotions. The goal was to work with companies to create unforgettable experiences through fun food truck activations and leave a lasting impression on customers while collecting valuable data for our clients. Things have changed somewhat since the launch of Brand Appétit®. I’ve rebranded the company and we’re a boutique marketing + community engagement firm. Why did I decide to rebrand the firm?
When I was six years old, my mom and I would meet up with a few of her friends from church, and go “under the bridge” to feed the homeless. We’d set up a 6 foot table, pull out boxes of Williams Chicken, put gloves on our hands and pass out food. I will never forget the gratitude on the faces of the people who were so happy to have a hot meal. I’ve always wanted to continue to do the work my mother instilled in me as a child. It was in December 2018 when something inside of me shifted. I wanted to volunteer to feed the less fortunate on Christmas day, and the organizations I called were no longer accepting volunteers. For a moment I was pretty upset. Then it dawned on me, “You call yourself The Food Truck Lady, so partner with one of your favorite food trucks and feed the homeless.” Since then, I’ve partnered with Bayou City Eats Food Truck during the holiday season. Not only do we pass out food, but we also distribute hygiene kits that include toothbrushes, toothpaste, a pair of socks, wet wipes, lip balm and deodorant.
This was a pivotal moment. After this experience, Brand Appétit® was reborn. Instead of only using food trucks for marketing campaigns, I decided that I wanted to partner with companies who wish to provide goodwill throughout the year — not only during the holidays or when disaster hits. Let’s show compassion to those who are often overlooked or forgotten about. I want to provide acts of kindness to remind them that “we see you.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been an interesting road. For quite some time, I had the hardest time explaining to individuals what I did. Many thought I only provided wraps for food trucks. Others thought I owned a fleet of food trucks. I finally came up with the perfect pitch: We partner with companies who want to use food trucks for brand activations, marketing promotions or social responsibility. What does that look like? We’d take the same images you’d use on a billboard and wrap it onto a food truck. Once I was able to say that, I was able to get a few “oohs and aahs.”
Also, at one point, I was so focused on everything that I did not have. Because of the lack of mindset I had at the time, I couldn’t see the good things that I had! Once I shifted my perspective, things changed drastically. I held a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo and raised over $17,000. That sparked something inside of me and reminded me.” I can do this!”
Brand Appétit – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Brand Appétit® is a boutique marketing + community engagement firm founded by Misti Buard. The firm partners with companies who want to bring unforgettable experiences to underserved communities by using food trucks or other branded vehicles. Whether it’s a large brand looking for a creative social responsibility initiative or a community advocate who wants to utilize multiple food trucks to feed the homeless, host a back-to-school drive, or host Christmas in July, we will create an unforgettable experience for the community that will ensure our partners receive positive brand recognition, free publicity, and a boost in employee morale. We also specialize in providing branded food trucks to exhibitors at trade shows and festivals. Usually, these exhibitors are looking to have a large presence at the show, so we design a creative wrap for the food truck, create a menu that compliments the theme of their current marketing promotion and drive traffic, I am most proud that we truly care about giving back to the community. Our slogan is “Hope in humanity through people in philanthropy”. So even if a client hires us only to provide a branded food truck at a trade show, we offer the food truck for an additional day so the client can use the truck for their philanthropic cause.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Once I’ve made a positive impact on a client or in the community, I define that as a success. If you and I meet, and you walk away feeling inspired or excited, then that makes my work a success.
Pricing:
- Community Engagement Packages start at $5,000
- Branded Food Truck Packages start at $20,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brandappetit.com
- Phone: 2143959066
- Email: misti@brandappetit.com
- Instagram: @brandappetit; @thefoodtrucklady
Image Credit:
RMFOTO.COM
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