Today we’d like to introduce you to Guillermo & Margarita
Hi Guillermo & Margarita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
MBites started in 2020 in California. Our initial business, importing Colombian leather accessories under the name Savannah Leather Crafts, was heavily impacted by the pandemic. All our distributors closed their doors to the public and returned our merchandise.
This situation sparked the idea of selling Colombian-style arepas, empanadas, alfajores, and other products. Seeing the positive reception, we decided to pursue this path, obtaining all necessary permits to operate in Southern California where we lived at the time.
We rented a commercial kitchen in Santa Ana, California, where we prepared all our food. We offered catering services and sold frozen arepas and empanadas. We also made buttermilk cookies and alfajores (caramel cookies), which we sold at a point of sale called Open Market OC inside Main Place Mall in Santa Ana, CA.
Two years later, in 2022, my husband Guillermo received a job offer in Texas. After weighing all options, we decided to accept and moved to North Dallas, TX, in April 2022.
It took us a year to restart MBites, now with experience gained in California and a new focus. We began by selling only frozen arepas to establish the brand and product in local supermarkets in North Texas. Once the brand is well-positioned, our plan is to introduce empanadas and cookies.
Currently, we have five sales points in small Colombian supermarkets where our arepas have been very well received. To promote them, we do demos on weekends and post on social media.
Our goal is to reach larger supermarkets and position MBites as a provider of high-quality, healthy, and easy-to-prepare foods. Our arepas are handmade with quality ingredients, free of preservatives and gluten, and vacuum-packed, making them unique, delicious, and able to stay fresh for several weeks—super convenient for people who work and don’t have time to cook.
Our next step is to acquire a machine that will allow us to produce more arepas and expand our distribution to other supermarkets.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been an easy road. We lacked the necessary experience in areas such as publicity, photography (quality, edition), and social media. Additionally, meeting requirements such as obtaining food permits and other business establishment necessities, as well as budgeting for equipment and professional services, posed significant challenges.
On the other hand, we both have jobs, making it difficult to find time to increase production and open more points of sale. The time we dedicate to MBites is limited to after-work hours and weekends.
However, we have discovered that when people try MBites arepas, they buy them. Therefore, having the resources to conduct more demonstrations has been crucial in increasing our sales.
We’ve been impressed with MBites Foods LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MBites is a food company specializing in authentic Colombian-style arepas. Our mission is to provide high-quality, healthy, and easy-to-prepare foods that bring authentic Latin flavors to your table.
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and authenticity. Our arepas are handmade with premium ingredients, free from preservatives and gluten, and vacuum-packed to ensure freshness for several weeks.
We are most proud of our ability to connect with our community through our food. The warm reception and support we have received from diverse cultures are a testament to the universal appeal of our products.
MBites is more than just a food brand; it’s a promise of quality and tradition. Our products are designed to be both delicious and convenient, making them perfect for any meal. As we grow, we remain dedicated to maintaining the artisanal quality that our customers love.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What we like the most is, without a doubt, the people. We have been warmly welcomed, and their warmth and cultural diversity stand out in our experience. It is worth noting that our product has been very well received by all the cultures that have tasted it. We also perceive that Texas is fertile ground for small businesses like ours.
What we found most difficult to adapt to was the climate, but once you do, you enjoy both the heat and the cold.
Pricing:
- $13.00 per pack of 6 units
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbitesfoods/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mbitesfoods
